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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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Poetryi 






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BY 



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ANGELO. 

AUTHOR OF 

^^l^ IMPS OF THE m^, 

^DYE^TUI[ES OF^iy TOM, 

IItEXOI|ABLE;OR,THEY/AGESOFSI^ 



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NEW TOEK: 

HUEST & CO, PUBLISHERS, 

122 NASSAU STEEET. 



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The author of these poems conceals his person- 
ality under a pseudonym which he hopefully be-T. ' 
lieves his readers will find, after faithful perusal of ^p 
his work, to be not unaptly chosen. (x*;; 

To win from them the title of Sculpture-Poet 
he deems the highest reward for his labor, showing 
as it would that they, like him, think more of the /7 
Idea than its fanciful dress; that they, with him, 
prefer a thought conveyed in sharp and incisive 
outlines, not lost in fantastic verbiage, 

A redundancy of ornament detracts from the 
power of expression^ and sacrifices the bold statuar) 
effect that should be produced upon the mind. 

Simplicity, and the full, clear meaning of th( 
r^ thought, are made subservient to garniture anc 
harmonious flow. /i 

With what success the author has avoided such "^ 
a danger, his readers must decide. He has striven 7 
to write as compactly as the poetic forms of ex- , - 
pression will allow, always preferring the statu- .Jr 
esque to soft and dulcet measures; in other words y 
— if he may be allowed the term, — to write Sculp^J^^ 
ture-Poetry. ^y 

He has sought to cut his images so that they-, 






lay stand before the mind like statues in the niche 
^/^i time; that he who reads cannot forget. 

There is as much poetry in the granite cliff as 

the flowing stream. 

The ruby, the topaz, the onyx, the emerald, the 
^'amythyst, the pearl, are showy colored, but each 
li emits only one kind of light. 

■\v The diamond is colorless, but let the light shine 
'^fuU upon it, and its rays then concentrate all jewels 
'4^into one. 
i^' Thought is the diamond. Genius is the radiance! '-r^i 



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CONTENTS. 



PATRIOTIC POEMS. 



Columbia 

The Bust of Washington 
/' Our Banner 
,'■ The Charge 
;^ An American 
y-- Indians 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS 



The Stars . , 

Poetry 
The Storm 
Early Morn 
,Love 

"The Rainbow 
Life is a Bee 
A Kiss 

Song of the Sunbeam 
Fame 

The Butterfly 
Evening Star 
Labor 
The Air 
The Sea 
The Bells 
The Eagle 
The Snow 
The Fight 
Falling Leaves 
Towards Eve 



71 sf_ 






CONTENTS. 

DESCRIPTIVE POEMS, 

'the Stars 
The Hurricane 
Love 
The Stars 
The Eagle 
Morn 

.,The Battle 
Morning 
Music 

he Sunbeam 
Night 

PERSONAL POEMS. 

•**]> Despise the Poet and His Songs 
Culprit Fay 

Bryant . . ' . 
'ijA Song .... 
•^''lA/'hittier 

Leila .... 

■ .Napoleon 
'-■'My Love 

' The Moses of Angelo 
'■ A Venus 

The Lily of the Valley . 
John Gray, the Brakeman 
The Bravo 
Pretty Maiden 
Everything I Love 
'Cecilia .... 
Mother's Advice to Her So 
World 
leeping Rustic Beauty 
eauty .... 
Kitty .... 
My Eagle Spirit Never Yet S 



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80 
83 

85 
86 
90 
94 

95 
98 

99 
103 



tooped to Man 




ring the 




e Corner 



CONTENTS. 
PERSONAL POEMS. 

Stanley 

Cupid .... 

The Hod Carrier 

The Mistress 

The Little Church Around th 

Delia .... 

Rosa .... 
'Our Boy 

Clara .... 
r-Mary Anderson 

The Beauty 

Forget Thee . 

PATHETIC POEMS. 

Irish Emigrant's Farewell to His Love 

Blind .... 

When I Saw Her Last . 

The Haunted Assassin . 

The Last Man 

The Fireman . 
>The Lament of the Forsaken 

Nevermore 

The Dying Drunkard 

The Duel 
, My Soul is Sad To-night 

A Murderer's Thoughts 

The Mourner 

The Warrior to His Dying Steed 

SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 

God ..... 

I^Sin is a Warrior Bold . 
|(f' Chains Cannot Fetter the Mind 

Fight on 

The Churchyard . 



162 

164 1 • 

166 :^' 
16 f-' 
168 
169 

176 ^^ 

177'' 
180 



187 
189 
192 

193 
197 
200 
202 
205 
209 
211 
213 
214 
216 
219 



227 
229 
231 
233 
234 



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CONTENTS. 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 

IManhood 

jThe Diadem ...... 

True Freedom ..... 

The Unquailed Spirit Should Never Shrink 
There is a Glory Everywhere 

' Why, O, Why? 

<. Eden Before the Fall .... 
tii*^ For a Young Lady's Album . 

^ Hope 

J^The Soft Zephyr will Float Into Thin Air 
^'- Look Up ...... 

Happiness ...... 

Would'st Thou Mortal Tread Higli Heaven 
True Respect ..... 

The Meanest Thing That Lives 
A Star Ever Beams For Thee 
Love is the Key Arch of Heaven . 
Chance . 

SATIRICAL POEMS. 

The Libertine 
The Club 
The Judge 
The Critic 
< The Fop 

Oh, Billy Rimple . 
The Flirt 
The Politician 
The Belle of the Ball 
Justice and the Law 
Dear Mr. Pinky 
Shysters 
The Devil 
Shoddy Kings 
Slander 



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PAGE 
241 

243' 
244 
247 
248;* 
250 
252 ':^- 
255c;?ry 
257 'J^ 

259'>< 

262 '- 

263 

266 

267 

268'*.'< 



279 ^^ 

284 , 

285.J 
287'^ 
292 ,' - 
294 "^, 
296 '- 
298 '• 

303.^-7: 
305-' .^' 

307 ■. 
312 

313 
319 
324 



£\ CONTENTS. 




^, SATIRICAL POEMS. 
Pubs and Dems 


PAGE 


King Autocrat 


326 


Bluster 


327 


Social Torquemada .... 
Soft-Sodder 


. 328 

33° 


T_Taxes 


' 33^ 


4 HUMOROUS POEMS. 




The Gossip 

John and Nancy ..... 

The Cheap Horse 

The Wonderful Man .... 


• 339 

• 345 
. 348 

351 


The Auctioneer 


355 


All Are Doctors 


361 


^' Buy an Old Farm .... 


. 365 



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PATRIOTIC POEMS 





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COLUMBIA 



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,p" Glorious Columbia! Freedom's chosen heir! 

That seemst as made the smile of God to wear! 
^ All wonderful has been thy rapid stride 
J^From savage life to useful culture wide. 



''^Two oceans ring thy vast extended shore, 
^While lake and gulf their mighty waters pour; 
i«i>'^.,Flower-spread Savannas stretch from tide to tide, 
X^Where untamed horses roam and bisons glide. 

• Columbia! all honor to his name 

From whose sure science thy discovery came. — 

.^. With what wild joy to him appeared the land, 
t> ■ 
^■^ As, bent in prayer, he knelt upon thy strand. 

/ As on a heavenly vision, he around 
1 ,x^..On tropic beauty gazed, like holy ground; 
•-^^^ Scenes of strange loveliness before him spread, 
V Enchanted shore, that seemed with wonder fed! 



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PATRIOTIC POEMS. 




Columbia! Religion to thy shore 
First sent the Puritans, who could no more 
Praise God untrammeled in their mother land, 
So crossed the trackless seas: — Heroic band I 

6 

Fearless they reared their homes in forests wild, 
Where fiercely roamed, untutored, nature's child! , 
Despite whose savage ban, they made their way V^ 
'Cross lake and river, toward the setting ray. v^^ 



Columbia! Millions rear their holy fanes 
To-day in honor of that God who reigns 
O'er christian land to schools and worship given, 
Where Freedom smiles, now Slavery's link is riven^ 



Cement of blood will yet unite once more 
' .■;^ A cleansed race, that ne'er again will lower 
Its honored flag, that now unspotted waves 
O'er hero warriors, crumbling in their graves. 



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Sea-loved Columbia! Empire of great States! 
Thy rich possessions not the wide world mates. 
Sea-lakes, lake-rivers, mountains lofty, grand, 
Niagara's plunge, and Kaatskill's mighty band. 



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PATRIOTIC POEMS. 



I I 



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The Rocky Mountains' bare their summits free, 
And Canons yawn in dread sublimity. 
Land of ores, forests, fertile prairies wide, 
Where Labor 's king, and wealth 's an ocean tide, 

II 
Columbia! North Star of Liberty! 
Toward whose light downtrodden people flee, 
Beacon of hope to myriad foreign slaves, 
To feed that light, hast oped a million graves! 



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V ' What noble figures these who round thee stand: 
' A Washington, a Lincoln, Franklin grand! 
Cooper and Bryant, who on glory's page 
\ In prose and verse delight each living age. 

"^^■^ Columbia! To God our praise be given, 
;('\^ Who gave to us this favored land of heaven, 
V, Where people rule but by their own decree, 

^' Nor, slavish, crook the knee to royalty. 

14 

X- Unfettered save by just and equal laws, 
iv'; Each soars to rule in turn; no check to pause 
r- His onward stride, but as the people will, 
Who give fair play, and not e'en traitors kill! 



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12 PATRIOTIC POEMS. 

ON SEEING POWER'S BUST OF 
WASHINGTON. 



.-/ -^ 



I look upon thy sculptured head, oh, Washington: — \lf^ 
^/Earth's serenest, purest, wisest, noblest son. Vf,!. 

Like polar star thy duty ever shone for thee, 
Whose call e'er found thee constant, earnest, calm 

and free. 
Patient, kind, gentle; yet in action firm and true; 
Steadfast in danger through what e'er might 

come to view; 
Through sad reverse, when ruin seemed to hover 

near, -y 

A tower of strength thou stoodst, thy country's 

heart to cheer. 
Thine was the courage that infused her patriot sons, 
With garments torn and bleeding feet, to front the 

guns, 
'.'^ With waning life to fiercely hurl back blow for blow, 
"^ And with grim purpose to defeat the hireling foe. 
Unmoved as Destiny, relying on thy God, 
Thou marchedst on with silent majesty, and trod 



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PATRIOTIC POEMS. 



'3m 



The battle's fiercest fields. Defeat but moved thy 

blood 
To fresh advance; to sweep with a resistless flood ^■ 
The danger by. Before thee shone thy country's* 

star, 
That in the darkened heaven ever blazed afar, — 
That, red with blood, still brightly gleamed unto 
^ thine eye, 

i.y'And marked the painful way through which suc- 
■ y" cess did lie. 

tjr When Envy's jaundiced eye did jealously behold 
' Thy grand career, her foulest arts did seek to en- 
fold 
With Slander's slime and factions fume thy honest 

name; J 

Cii. But thou didst pass it by. Thy country guards 
r thy fame. 

Her sons, with pride in thy renown, would rise to 

Still 
The serpent tongue that would thy worth assail ^ 
and fill < 

The air with praise of thee, thou matchless Wash- 
ington;— ,^-- 

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But that thou art thine own best shield. And thou / - 

hast won 
Thy fadeless laurels in despite of foes behind 

4 




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14 



PATRIOTIC rOEMS. 



|}2> Who vainly sought at home thy mighty hands to ^, / 



1 bind, 

When England's Hessian hosts invading sought to 
,/r cower 

•■% The souls of freemen. Thou didst face her 
I" haughty power v\j 

With Right thy shield, and Liberty thy f^amingC^ 
sword. 
.- Slowly but surely thou didst wage the glorious 
^f^ fight 

That gave a nation birth; that changed the shad- 
owy night 
. To full-lit day. Let glory halo thy great name, 
ffAnd to the end of time thy noble deeds proclaim. 



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PATRIOTIC POEMS. 



OUR BANNER. 



On Its waving sheet of snow 
Crimson streaks in splendor glow, 
While its cornered field of blue 
Seems a part of Heaven's bright hue. 



15 



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A glittering diadem of stars 
In azure gleams above the bars; 
That diadem — an Empire free — 
Belts half the sphere from sea to sea. 

3 

The white denotes its spotless truth, 
The red its sturdy, warlike youth, 
The blue denotes a Nation free, 
And faithful e'er to Liberty. 

4 

The stars shine from the azure blue, 
Emblems of our aspiring view. 
That up from Earth would soar on high — 
Like human Eagles pierce the sky. 



A 








i6 



PATRIOTIC rOEMS. 



It waves above a people free, 
Who ne'er to tyrant bowed the knee, 
Each sovereign in his own great right. 
Who for his flag will proudly fight. 

6 
Let foe e'er dare invade oiir shore; 
That sheet brings heroes to the fore, 
Who seek no hallowed toil to shun, 
Nor to lay arms till victory's won. 



Thank God! Now every slave is free, 
No blot doth stain its purity. 
It waves to all the world in light, 
Vhe Emblem of a Nation's might. 



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PATRIOTIC POEMS. 

THE CHARGE. 



17 



With sound of bugle, beat of drum, 

The Patriots down the roadway come, 

With heads erect and colors flying 

'Mid groans and shrieks of wounded — dying. 

Now fall the shot and shell like hail, 
'Mid cannon's roar and battle wail! 
The bayonets flash to meet the foe; 
None falter, but still onward go. 



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With serried ranks, as true as steel, 
They break the foe, who turn and reel 
Before this avalanche of men, 
That sweeps their lines again, — again, 

4 
And thins their numbers, fierce and fast. 

Like flakes of snow before the blast; 

Piling them in horrid heaps. 

Where friend or foe the battle sweeps. 



^ 



Hurrah! hurrah! The day is ours; 
The crimson tide no longer pours. 
Peace spreads again its snow-white shield 
O'er dead and dying on the field. 



^ 



PATRIOTIC POEMS. 



AN AMERICAN. 



Free to win honors, wealth, or fame; 
Free to aspire, to mark his name 
In any rank upon the age, — 
To live upon historic page. 



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American! Each man a King! 
What title has a grander ring? 
From lake to gulf, from sea to sea, 
He roams a sovereign, — equal, free! 



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He apes not feudal ways of old, 
In manner, speech, or use of gold. 
To earn his living, pay his way. 
Is nobler life than monarch's sway. 

4 
A man industrious, truthful, sober, 
Is peer of any the world over. 
Strive to be called an honest man, 
Like Horace Greely, if you can. 




TATRIOTIC rOEMS. 



19 



Like Lincoln, Johnson, — name toil-won 
Is nobler than King's idle son. 
They sovereigns grew by thought and work; 
No duty were the}^ known to shirk. 



Let every youth, then, make his mark 
In honest ways, not methods dark; 
And rise, by industry and toil, 
To fame that time can never spoil. 



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20 



PATRIOTIC POEMS. 



INDIANS. 



Again on bloody path of war, 
Their watch-fires light the hills afar, 
While terror seizes the frontier, 
And mother's clasp their babes in fear. 



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Hark to the murd'rous tribes' death-shriek! 
See myriad belts with scalps that reek! 
The tomahawks that gleam blood-red, 
On human gore already fed, 

3 

The knives that pierce the throbbing heart; 
Unheralded, the deathly dart; 
No mercy know the savage foe; — 
But massacring along they go. 

4 
All gloating in the reddening dye 

That fires with hate each warrior's eye, 

Prayers all are vain! No quarter given; 

No shrift, or choice of hell or heaven! 







Wf^-' 





PATRIOTIC POEMS, 



The sense of injury has struck deep; 
Dire vengeance on the foe must sweep. 
The people's faithless servants brought 
The butchery that the red man wrought. 



The moccasins are on the alert; 
Woe to them who careless flirt! 
They captives to the torture give, 
Or in base slavery let them live. 



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Their fires burn brightly far and near, 
While ruin stalks with presence drear; 
Sleep, shuddering, flies from lids away, 
No peace, no rest, by night or day. 



Hark now to that terrific yell. 

Like shriek of fiends let loose from hell! 

Swift flies the tomahawk in air. 

At every blow a skull laid bare. 

9 
See how the flashing knife descends, 
A figure, falling, earthward bends; 
The red stream gushes madly out, 
While savage throats triumphant shout. 




22 



PATRIOTIC POEMS. 



The gallant boys in blue rush in 
With shot and shell, amid the din; 
And hand-to-hand they fight it out, 
Until the red fiends turn in rout. 

II 

Yet many a bleeding scalp is taken, 
And many firesides are forsaken; 
Direful moanings fill the air, 
Showing the fierce carnage there. 




Many a prisoner is led on, 
Though the battle is grandly won; 
And lingering Indian fires will burn 
Those whom in conflict death did spurn. 

13 
Many a hole in the ranks is rent, 
Among those who to glory went; 
Many a grave by the lone roadside, 
Marks those swept down the bloody tide. 






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DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 






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DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



THE STARS. 



25 



All space was one vast, boundless, blue serene, 
When Life's great Spirit floated o'er the scene; 
^ ^: Who breathed His soul into the nebulous air, 
C^ And born were suns and planets everywhere. 



1/ 






Like visions infinite the hosts appear 
O'er all the heavens, grouped far and near. 
Away, in rolling symphonies they go 
To greater distances than thought can know. 

3 
In fleecy cloudings Milky-Ways do wreathe, 
Or Pleiades in nestling loves do breathe, 
Like brothers some do gather in one fold, 
As hermits others dwell in single mold. 






Through boundless space they sail on vasty pinions, 
The glory of the heavens — God's dominions! 
Hark to the song, as, on their axes spinning. 
They chant His praise to whom they owe beginning! 



26 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



The night is dark, and drear, and dim, 
Till through the billowy air we swim; 
Earth's gloom transfigures into light. 
With golden torches gleaming bright. 

6 
With lines of light we pierce the air; 
All space is lit with this writing fair: 
"God is our King; we own his sway; — 
Forever this our joyous lay. 






S^- 



"Spirits of light on shining wing 
Around the stars love-chansons sing, 
Gazing with soft, enamored eye, — 
Bright wooers of the distant sky. 



ii'll; / 



"As goblets bright on high we hold 
The wine of Heaven, richer than gold, 
And pledge to God each eve a round. 
With anthems free, of seraph sound. 



"See starry host on host arise. 
Each one robed in celestial guise; 
All marshaled at the Master's will, — 
A choir of spheres, — their ro'es to fill. 



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DESCRIPVIVE POEMS. 

lO 

"The Stars are jewels in God's crown, 
And dot His robe with spangles round. 
They are the mirrors poised in air, 
Where angels see their features fair! 

II 

"The Earth a speck is to our gaze: 
Its folly fills us with amaze. 
The pomp and luxury of man 
To our far sight is but a span, 

12 

"We vail our eyes at God's command; 
Our light transfigures at his wand: — 
Each star an emblem of full life 
And harmony, devoid of strife. 

13 
"Our course is one long glittering dream, 
A cycle, with revolving gleam. 
A race of demigods do ply 
Their work within our homes on high. 

14 
"We are Creation's harvest seeds. 
The warmth each mortal daily needs. 
The fires of Heaven about us glow. 
Beauty and youth e'er round us grow. 




DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



15 






r^ 



"Lo! on our brows see rainbows hemmed; 
Pearls of light on space are gemmed; 
In glory mingling earth and sky, 
In love-hues blent like dreams to lie. 



16 



"The springs of life send up their spray, 
Lit with gleams from our starry way. 
The steeds of Heaven tramp o'er our ground, 
Driving the fiery chariots round. 



17 



"Away! In wheeling circles fly 

God's coursers o'er the trackless sky; 

They fling the sheen from their glist'ning manes 

O'er velvet fields, rich with golden rains. 

18 
"The fires flash from their glancing feet, 
While on they speed, — as lightnings fleet. 
The rolling clouds, in purpled gold^ 
Enwreathing them with fold on fold. 

"The Day-God from his couch doth rise 
And veils us then from mortal eyes. 
Till he recalls, again at eve, 
The darkening ether to relieve." 



-'*; 




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DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



3h 



POETRY 



^ 






Poetry is an inborn light, 
You cannot imitate its might; 
It is a glory haloing thought, 
Which cannot in the mart be bought. 

2 

'Tis not a merely jingling rhyme 
Keeping a jangling tune in time. 
It is a thought inspired, divine. 
Breathing rich fancy in each line. 

3 
A fire it is — a thought that gleams; 
Star-woven in our brightest dreams. 
A yearning for a purer sphere. 
While spirit lingers sorrowing here. 

4 
The Sun of Soul o'er nature driven, 
To lift our minds from earth to heaven, 
With holy thought for all that breathes, 
For God in man, stars, rocks and trees. 









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30 DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 






5 
'Tis fancy, peopling stars and earth 
With beings weird and strange of birth; 
'Tis noble play of sun-born thought, 
As pure as if by Angels taught. 

6 



'Tis passion lofty, and desire ^r 

That sets the brain and heart afire: V" 

Volcanic flame o'er desert mount, V i 

Hot ashes from the burning fount! \^) 

7 Va, 

'Tis Summer twilight in the mind; ; , 

A flower with morning dew entwined; &;\ 

A pensive cloud in moonlit night I 

Shading the soul with gentle light. M;. 



'Tis star-born Love within the heart, /9 

Beauty that fibres every part, J. 

Incense to woman in the soul 
Whose witching forms o'er fancy roll. 

p 9 

!>x Like Phenix, soars to heights of fame (J 

To niche some temple with his name. 

'Tis genius' self throned on the world, 

With blazing banners all unfurled. 



-A 






?: 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 

lO 

The galaxy of stars in verse, 
Chaunting in numbers pure and terse 
Language of angels round the Throne, 
Who sing the praise of God alone. 



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DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



THE STORM. 



Lo! All is still and palled as Death, 
The air is pulseless; not a breath 
To stir the deep and vast Profound, 
Not even a flitting ghost of sound. 

\)^ A whisper e'en would prove a shock 

^ That broke the silence, like a rock. 

Divinely still the peace around, 
\sji Like quietude of holy ground. 

\/ ' 

^ The heart of Nature seems asleep, 

/^ Wrapped in a calm so great, so deep, 

•\Sj With all her myriad voices dumb. 

Life has departed. Death has come. 



\ 



4**' 



'Tis but a little while, when lo! 
Across the sky the lightnings go. 
Zig-zag in lurid lines of fire, 
Pregnant with unseen spirits' ire. 



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DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



M 



Through the black air the volleys fly, 
Like vengeance shot from depths of sky, 
Thundering in their hot advance, 
Smiting the Earth where e'er they glance. 



Again behold! The torrents flow; 
All heaven opes to flood below 
In one vast sheet of gushing rain. 
As if the deluge were again. 



\' 






The wind has roused it from its sleep, 
And now in direful rage doth weep. 
Threatening the work of man to wreck. 
As if all Hell were at its beck. 

8 
Grand arching bridges rush along^ 
With houses, spires and roofs; a throng 
Of nameless things pell-mell are borne 
On Desolation's wings forlorn. 



%/ 



List to the rushing, roaring wind. 
Hurtling, shivering, 'fore and 'hind, 
Hark to that sudden, crashing roar! — 
A mighty oak will rise no more. 



34 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



The rivers rise, the waters flow, 
O'er farm and village sweeping go. 
Death floats upon the boiling surge, 
While men do chaunt a funeral dirge. 







{ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



35 



EARLY-MORN. 



On the horizon's verge a rosy blush doth gleam, 
.^ Like the love-kiss of morning's first sweet beam. 
/f\ The sun's lit rim a crescent seems of gold, 
U While fleeces rich enrobe him fold on fold. 

2 

Up higher rolls the sun, like golden, fiery globe. 
While o'er the heavens is spread a spangled robe. 
Q On leaves and flowers he flings his diamond kiss, 
' While emerald grasses laugh in jeweled bliss. 



• * Nature unto him offers its bright crown; 

•^Soft, wondrous hues he scatters thickly down, 
\ii As if each raptured dye had stolen a soul. 

As radiant as if dipped in heaven's bowl. 



(. .'" . 



The sun his censer swings upon the air. 
High-priest of nature, highest beauty there! 
His love-lit beams with every object twined, 
Seem prayers to God and the Incarnate Mind. 




36 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



LOVE. 



Fancy dreaming, 
Breast upheaving, 
Softly blushing. 



w 



^ 



Eyes downcast, 
Heart palpitating, 
Hands enclasped. 






Beauty entrancing, 
Senses ravishing, 
Idol worshiping. 



Xj^' 



Lips saluting. 
Words trembling, 
Vows swearing, 

5 
Ring presenting, 
Time setting. 
Minister uniting. 









/ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 

6 
Both fast 
At last. 



Babe presenting, 
Church christening, 
Name giving. 

8 
Child educating, 
Family rearing, — 
Love ending. 






>,:ty^ 






i^ 



^ 



.•^ /^ 




38 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



sm 



THE RAINBOW. 



Lo! on the arch of the spangled sky 
What gorgeous sight doth dazzle the eye! 
'Tis the lovely child of the sun and showers, 
Painting the heavens with shining bowers. 



V 



Like a wreath of glory o'er clouds they float, 
Like a wing of light, or a fairy boat; 
The bow of promise, the sign of love 
Descending in peace from the heavens above. 

3 
What blended hues now radiate there 
Of the purest colors, wooing the air; 
It sweetly hangs o'er the wondering earth — 
This crescent etherial of sunlit birth. 



'Tis the star of Hope in the realms of air, 
A prophet of sunshine, lovely and fair; 
A type of forgiveness in worlds above, 
Where God shall judge in mercy and love. 



v::. 



^^ 



i|ig^^ ^ - 




DESCRIPVIVE POEMS. 



39 



The hues of heaven entwine in the light, 
Of this beautiful diadem, glittering bright. 
Hung like a joy in the clouded sky, 
A halo of colors of richest dye. 



In the far-off Heaven, on the Judgment Day, 
Another will arch the celestial way; 
Woven of God, entwined with a world, — 
A bow of promise forever unfurled. 







/'^, 



1! 



y:. 







DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



LIFE IS A BEE. 



^L IT.- 



Life is a bee in nature's bowers, 
Flitting away the passing hours, 
O'er humanity — its flowers, — 

Sucking its honey there. 



.^^ 

u 
^ 

^ 



m 




f 



cf 



. 'Ji 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



41 



A KISS. 



b 



I am a rosy kiss, 

And dwell in nectared bliss; 

I wanton on the lip, 

On cheek and brow I skip. 







.-^ 



*"^i^^K"~^ 



% 






fD»-- 



42 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS* 



SONGOF THE SUNBEAM. 



I am but a dart of the fiery sun; 
As falleth the night my work is done. 
I light the unseen in the pregnant air, 
And tip with glory the cloudlets fair. 

2 

The dew-drops greet me at early morn. 
With my warm kisses are diamonds born. 
I weave every beam with a thread of gold, 
And mantle the Earth when the day is old. 

3 
The birth of the star-gemmed Night I wait, 
With crimson and purple robes of state. 
I hide my face in her raven hair, 
And sleep till the morning finds me there. 






Kd) 



4 



./ 



Like a dancing Fay o'er the earth I go, 
With an equal smile for friend or foe. 
I dry the tears from Earth's sodden breast 
And find a place in the rainbow's crest. 



.ff 



if 



DESCRIPTIVE I'OEMSv 

5 
I stride in state through the palace hall, 
And shimmer with gold the spire so tall; 
Through many a rent of the ruined tower 
I peer and play hour after hour. 

6 
In the cottage bower I love to dwell, 
And list to the songs they love so well. 
'Mid leaves of green I often roam, 
And in their shadows find a home. 



43 



I 







I melt the snow from the frosty earth; 
I warm the young leaves from their birth. 
I sport in sparklets on the stream 
With silvery lines the waters gleam, 

8 
A rover am I, both bold and free: 
I kiss the hills, and salute the sea; — 
With a veil of gold woo the icy peak. 
In the glacier-chasm play many a freak. 

9 /5^)v!0 

In the gloomy gorge, you will find me there 

Where e'er Earth's throes have left her bare. 

In volcanic showers of fiery spray 

I hold high revel — my maddest play. V 



f 




^ 



.44 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



VJ/' 



M\ 



0h 



Over the world, with my quiver of fire, 
I send my light shafts, in sport or ire. 
At times, as suave as a gentle queen, 
I bear myself with a softened mien. 

II 
At times, a fire-god, I scorch the earth; 
My hot breath blasts the young buds at birth. 
At times I sport in the April shower, 
And arch the low clouds with prismatic power. 



r 



% 



Up in the heavens, or down on the sea, 
On earth or in air is the same to me; 
Seen or unseen, I still play my part; 
Whether with icy or fiery heart. 



13 



Each night with the Sun I retire to rest, 
But at morn, bright and early, I'm up and drest. 
You can never escape my eagle glance: 
Like a warrior armed I poise my lance. 



14 



Hurrah! hurrah for the glowing sunbeam: 
Yoked to the air what a glorious team! 
How they brighten and vivify earth and sky 
With the healthful breeze and the dazzling eye. 






V, 



^^ 



"m: 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



FAME. 



f 



ii^; 



O, Fame, thou star-born dream within the soul! 
Thy glory is all false, — a brilliant ghoul, 
Haunting our life; a godlike spectre, given 
Its birth in rosy plains of distant Keaven. 



f) 



Thy heart is ice, thy soul a glittering breath 
Like Spirit of the Night that lures to death! 
We climb thy jeweled heights and look afar: 
Ruin and wreck thy paths of beauty mar, 

3 
A rainow bubble on the passing hour. 
That gleams like solid gem of radiant power. 
A puncture bursts at once thy mocking dream, 
Thy flash of light, thy tinge of Heaven's beam! 



■^ 



Our lives we consecrate to thy false hope; 

See light in future days; through present grope; 

Awake to find it all a glittering mist 

That rays of Truth disperse where e'er they list. 



^ 






>I MfjPf^? ' ' ^»' 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



'iSmiling with glory in the world's great mart, — 
Soul-glaciers, that from Alps of mind upstart; 
Star-girded brow, eye wondering, face like God, 
Brass idol thou, — a film unto His nod' 

6 
Crowned on thy peak, the Universe seems ours, 
)Wild dreams upon the threshold of God's powers. 
Like fly upon Creation's ball we stand. 
Or specks of dust swept off by His great hand. 

7 

Not long ere Time strips off thy golden mask; 
»Thy form shorn of its jewels ends thy task; 
jThy light is but the shadow of a star, 
I That mocks us with the Unreal from afar. 



<l 



<^ 






>i "Tis only when we walk in God's pure light, 
ffl^^And shun the radiance false of Sin's short night, 
^That we may win the fame that never dies; 

H All else are will-o'-wisps — mere fire-flies. 







^J^E^^P'TJ- 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 




THE BUTTERFLY. 



M 



I am only a tremulous, gossamer thing, 
With golden and azure and silvery wing; 
Yet, skimming and floating, so light and airy. 
To many an eye I seem a fairy. 



I softly gleam in the sunny glow 

Of the summer air, in its waving flow, 

I bathe my wings in the sparkling showers, 

And sip from the cups of the perfumed flowers. ^ 



Mj 



Light as a zephyr I skim along 
With a rustling hum, so soft my song; — 
A gilded nothing, enjoying the hours, 
And merrily sporting in nature's bowers. 

4 
A sailing gem on the waves of light 
All radiant I am with hues so bright; — 
A type of a thoughtless life serene, 
A mere existence, a joyous sheen. 



'I 



w 



\J^' 



r/ 



48 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



i 



See how I gaily float and flutter, 

As softly to the flowers I mutter, 

I'll spread my wings in your scented breezes, 

And singing flit till the winter freezes. 



A' ,<. 



Some meaning there is in my slender life: 
The delight of living, free from strife; 
A sparkling glimmer of fleeting span, 
A passing lesson to mortal man. 



B 



^ 








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€^- 



C%^ 



JtwmifiL-t^^ ^_,,^r^ 



mm 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



49 



EVENING STAR. 



\^1 






J 



t 



If 



Star of Eve, whose gentle light 
Harbinofers the cominof nio-ht, 
Born in twilight's hazy beams, 
In solitary beaut}' gleams. 

Sentinel of all the sky, 
Watching with a faithful eye 
All the lingering stars appear 
O'er the heavens far and near. 

3 
Wondrous, witching star of love, 
Wooing other spheres above, 
Sighing, through the glooms of night, 
Thy soul away in sad delight. 

4 
Like pensive lover, all alone, 
That wonders where his love is gone. 
Thou lingerest in the fading blue, 
Seeking thy mate till lost to view. 



Vv^ 



%.^ 



/ .'f 



b^ 



Ri 



■Y.--^0 



50 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



^l 



Faithful follower of the Sun, 
With whose death thy life is spun, 
Veil thy radiant, tearful eyes; 
Weep at his bier along the skies. 



i 




x—^ 









r. 







LABOR. 






■r 

J 






Hark! the sonorous anvil's ring! 
Labor's music on the wing; 
The heavy strokes fall sure though slow, 
Moulding the iron as they go. 

2 

Hark! the shaping hammer's click, 
Pointing and heading nails so quick; 
Cheerily swung in a stalwart hand, — 
One of Labor's sinewy band. 

3 

Hark! the round saw's buzzing whirr 
Through oak and maple, beach and fir; 
The slabs pile high in measured heaps, 
The sawyer close the record keeps. 

4 
Hark! the steady splash of oar. 
As down they glide where rapids roar. 
While breezes sigh a moaning song, 
Whiling labor's toil along. 



yj'ru 




52 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



See the plow turn up the earth 

For seed to give the harvest birth. 

How patiently the horses guide 

While whistling ploughboy furrows wide. 



■p- 



? 

H 

i 

r 



See the stately mansion rise 

Through skilful Labor, trained and wise; 

Out of a shapeless, confused pile. 

It nobly towers in perfect style. 

7 
In loom, and shop, and mart, and store, 
The streams of helpful Labor pour; 
From the bowels of the Earth 
To shapely marvels giving birth. 






%. 



r 

f 



All hail, then. Labor! Saviour true 
From all the ills the slothful brew; 
Bright badge of entrance into heaven. 
To every hand industrious given. 

9 
Labor! Manly, honest, true. 

Gives each to each his proper due; 

It studs the earth with cheerful homes, 

And therein raises temple domes. 



x-^. 



iSLiisS21 ^^KgBC^.irv QLc 



^--'z^ ^ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



53 



THE AIR. 



The Air! The soft and sweet Spring air' 
Breathing perfumes everywhere 
Seeds embedding, blossoms strewing, 
Wavine seas of emerald viewintr. 



% 



r^ 



The Air! The burning Summer air! 

Like a fire-god from his lair; 

Yet rainbow-decked with lovely flowers, 

And diamond-gemmed with passing shov/ers. 

3 
The Air! The mournful Autumn air! 
Stripping all the leaves so bare: 
Breathing sad thy dying dirge 
O'er stern Winter's stormy verge. 



V. 



The Air! The icy, nipping air! 
Blown from Winter's heart so bare; 
Piercing like a poison dart 
Through each exposed or tender part. 



.^^4^- 



54 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



R1 



THE SEA. 



9 



m 



l\ 



The Sea! The calm blue sea! 
No whisper over thee. 
As motionless as air: 
Stillness reigns everywhere! 

2 

The Sea! The gentle sea! 
Flowing so light and free! 
Thy rippling wavelets fling 
As soft as sea-bird's wing. 

3 
The Sea! The amorous sea! 

Entwined like lovers free 
Pressing and clinging fast, 
With kisses for the blast. 



v"-^' 



The Sea! The murmuring sea! 
Whispering soft lullaby 
To mermaids down below, 
Singing to slumber low. 



<i 



% 



% 



: ,1 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 

5 
The Sea! The merry sea! 
Dimpling thy face with glee; 
Glad from the sun-god's smiles; 
Playful, yet full of wiles. 

6 
The Sea! The bright day sea! 
Where clouds are mirrored free; 
Curling their tresses bright 
Hueing thy waves with light. 

7 

The Sea! The sunset sea!'^ . 
Rich colors bathe in thee, 
Purple and gold and gray, 
Robbed from the dying day. 

8 
The Sea! The starry sea! 
With Planets wooing thee: 
Their beams, like lover's arms, 
O'er thy fair bosom's charms. 

9 

The Sea! The moonlit sea! 
Dancing so merrily 
Sparkling, like imps at play, 
Sporting, with gentle sway. 




P, 



,:r 



^r 



56 



DESCRirTIVE POEMS. 



V.:^: 



The Sea! The noisy sea! 
Laughing so boisterously. 
Sides quivering to the breeze 
With mirth nauglit can appease. 



w 






/ 









The Sea! The sonorous sea! 
Grand organs rolling free, 
With deep-voiced pipes and strong, 
Chaunting to God in song. 

12 

The Sea! The sounding sea! 
Roaring loud on the lea, 
With bold and clarion throat 
Striking defiant note. 

13 
The Sea! The raging sea! 
The bark's eternity! 
Madly rusliing, crashing, 
On rocks the frail wreck dashing. 

The Sea! The treacherous sea! 
Fate of mortality! 
Death rides thy buoyant wave, 
And makes of thee a grave! 






% 



\ 

V ■ 



^^^te^--S 



k 4- 






DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 

15 
The Sea! The dirge-like sea! 
Funereal chaunt to me. 
Sad memories in thy moan: — 
Despair in thy deep groan. 

16 
The Sea! The wondrous sea! 
God's holy mystery! 
Home of earth's monsters grand, 
That rival those on land. 

17 
The Sea! The glorious sea! 
Thy waves march valiantly; 
Thy grand battalions roll 
Imbued with warrior-soul. 

18 
The Sea! Boundless and free! 
Owning God's mastery. 
Changing, in sportive play, 
Thiy face from day to day. 

The Seal The jeweled sea! 
Girding immensity: 
A zone around Earth's waist. 
With cooling: drink to taste. 



57 



■ ^^"^^^rg gg^ gp ^^- 



58 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 






V- 






The Sea! Eternity, 
Glasses itself in thee. 
Crystal globe in Earth's hand, 
Dropping dews o'er the land. 











i) 



:>^ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



59 



THE BELLS. 



MARRIAGE-BELLS. 
I 

Ring, Marriage-bells! Ring out your dainty notesT ? 
A happy greeting from your joyful throats. 
Ring merrily! Ring cheerily, up there, 
In honor of a virgin sweet and fair. 

CHURCH-BELLS. 
2 

Ring out, Church-bells! Ring out a holy peal! 
Ring solemnly, ring piously, for weal. 
Ring like grand anthems, joyously but calm, 
As if God heard them! Ring a holy Psalm. 



FIRE-BELLS. 

3 
\/' I Ring, Fire-bells, ring! Ring out a fearful peal! 
Ring violently and loud till your tongues reel. 
Storm, wake the sleeping town to danger nigh; 
Ring out like thunder crashing from the sky. 



) ■ 



6o DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 

MATIN-BELL. 
4 

Ring, Matin-bell! — the pious town to prayer. 
Ring for lost souls! Ring masses on the air. 
Ring for the devout, in honor of their God. 
Ring for the Christians, who His ways have trod. 

..^_ . SCHOOL-BELL. 

5 I '^A 

Ring, School-bell, ring! 'Tis just the hour of nine! 
The young feet scamper eagerly to line; 
The children gather now for miles around 
To spell, to read, — each one to duty bound. 

COW-BELL. 

: Ring, Cow-bell, ring thy good, old fashioned note. 
Ring jog-trot, ding-dong, from thy brazen throat. 
Thy pleasant, rural, and familiar tone 
Reminds of milk and butter, cheese and scone. 

SLEIGH-BELLS. 

I 

Ring, Sleigh-bells, Ring! Salute the laughing fair. (7 
Tinkle with merry peals on frosty air. 
Young voices gleeful join, as on they glide; — 
Wildly, more wildly, — like the rushing tide. ^- 



:^^^wm^^^ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 
DINNER-BELL. 



6i 



Ling Dinner-bell! Ring loud, expectant note. 
rRing noisily, invitingly, I vote! 
Ring shortly, calling hungry folk to dine, 
Ring in the luscious fruit, ring in the wine. 

RAG-BELLS. 

Ring, Rag bells! Ring your cracked and clanging 

notes! 
Rich music yours that now discordant floats (!) 
Ring loosely, creakingly, as if half-swung, — ■ 
As if Rags! Rags! upon the air were flung. 

hangman's-bell. 

lO 

i f^ Ring Prison bell! Ring out a gloomy peal! 
Dark, awful, slow! Death's last sad seal 
Of the condemned; soon to be swung on high. 
Ring solemn peal for him ere that he die. 



'^JL 



w-SS "^ 



FUNERAL-BELLS. 

Ring Funeral-bells! Ring out the dead's last dirge! 
Weepingly, sadly, like a moaning surge. 
Ring tones of sorrow; ring a sad refrain! 
The bright and beautiful ne'er come again! 



62 






DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



THE EAGLE. 



Lordof the air! Higho'er the roaring cannon's ding -' 
Serene, majestic, floating on thy matchless wing. 
Proud and exulting, laughing puny man to scorn;%9 
Sitting in airy eyrie, which thy wings adorn. 



As boldly mounting in the sun's eye, like a dot 
Thy spreading wings appear. Then downward! 
,^ like a shot | 

j ^ Then dartest, as if by winged lightning thou werfr 
O, driven, ^^^ 

Piercing thy prey like sudden thunderbolt of"'i 
heaven. ,-1^ 

Star gazer! In high Empyrean thou wingst thyJv^^ 

course, 
Seeking the full tides of air in their very source; 
Sublimest thresher of the yielding atmosphere 
Fanning it softly, or rushing without fear. 




■^: 




DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 
4 



63 



/^ In sudden might, see airy billows outward part, / 
[■ ' As thy great ponderous wings through them im-7 
petuous dart. 'i 

Feathered thunderbolt of air! With thy beak-like 

lance, 
Turk of the sky, dost thou thy scimitar advance 



Roving sailor of heaven! With thy beak for a prow. 
Thy outspread wings for sails, thy tail as rudder 

now; ^ ' 

Captain and crew all in thy single being crowned; il^ 
Bold pirate of the air! World-wide art thou re-^.^^ 
—^ nowned ^>'^ 



High o'er the battlements of Earth thou hast thy 

flight! 
Even beyond the snow-capped mount's sublimest 

height! 
There, where the cracking rifle sends its leaden 

hail, 
'Tis but an easy sweep of thy high-soaring sail. 



M 



<=-^^- 






64 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



Far, Far beyond the deadly cannon's furthest shot 
Thy tireless wing is seen, dwindling to merest spot, f 
Be3^ond the boldest aeronaut's most daring flight ^ 
Thou urgest thine, until in space thou'rt lost to sight. ■ 

8 
Lone hermit of the deep blue sky! solemn and grand; 
With curious eye thou threadstthe clouds until thy 

stand 
Thou takst on utmost verge of air, — striding the 

storm, 
Fanning the air like billows with thy feathery form. 



The smoke of battle, as it rises, thee enwreathes, 
v^ In airy conflict crowned o'er every bird that 
3 breathes. <-,, 

Gazing serenely on the clash of armies meeting, 
The rolling drum falls on thine ear like warlike 
greeting. 

10 
Thou viewest the storm-chemist brew the th 

bolt; 

Enjoying Nature's fury like a frisky colt; 
Following the mad volleys swiftly down to Earth, — 
Sporting with them, and joining in their vicious 
mirth. 



^- 



mnder- '^ 



iP 




DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 65, > 

'}' Free rover of the airy sea! No wave thy bark 11^ 

\ Can shipwreck; thy course beyond the flight oi M 
lark; 
Thy sail e'er trimmed, how swift it speeds thy fleet- 
ing form, 

^^ Untiring, safe, and fearless rides the fiercest storm. 

12 
: - Untamed Sun gazer! Daring the fire-god of light, 
^' Unblinking, unabashed, thine eye ablaze for fight. 
Thy fiery soul, unconquered, laughs the winds to 

scorn. 
E'en as the winds the towering oak they just have 
shorn. ,,, 

13 I' ' 

^The warlike nations crown thee on their banner's 
i^ height, 

' Waving defiance ever through the bloody fights 
Thou art the diadem of power in battle driven; 
J^s^ Thy gilded face appears, the air with shouts is riven. 

14 i 

All hail! thou gray-robed master of the desert sky! 

Before whose Sultan scimitar all birds do fly; 

Whose voice of high command awakes the forest . ■- , 

green, '; 

When myriad winged things in covert hiding screen. 




DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



15 



\ Thou floating glory! Bird unmatched of greatest 

Jove! 
Before the Car of triumph thy standards royal move; 
Waving the golden feathers o'er the gory field, 
Fearless, unconquered, never knowing when to 

yield. 



^^' 

h 



16 



Thou shriekest shrill into the ears of the blast; 
Thy piercing tones outstun him as thou rushest 
past. 
^^- Thy strident voice is pitched upon so high a key, 
'.? Thou'rt heard above the loudest roaring of the sea. 

When famine dire upon the earth doth roll its fu- 
neral car. 
When fierce hate doth light the fiery torch of cruel 
ui.^ war, 

.'^^I^When Fire-god rolls his flames upon a city near, 
With scorn unmoved, on high thou floatest, with- 
i out fear. 



'^/' 






DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



67 > h 



Uprising far beyond the Pyramid's high top, 

Thou soarcst on, past heights unmeasured, ere thy M 

stop. A 

The works of mighty man like ant-hills look to thee, •'? 

As to tlie zenith floating, a speck thou seemest to be, %^ 

I see thy outstretched wings, and hear thy rustling 






song, 



Sweeping the air in reaches, wafted smooth along, *' 
^ Poetry of motion 'tis, the harmony of flight, 
=>oThy wing of power, so gliding, so graceful and so 






light. 



20 



When the wild sea-waves howl in mad conflict to- 
gether, 






V And great fleets are engulphed, thou ridest like a 

J feather; 

When earth, air, sky, wind, water, meet in battle. 
And clinch like demons in a clashing rattle, 
' 21 s 

Thou like a dove sits floating o'er the horrid din f^^);^ 

}S With tranquil heart, as if their melody thy soul did 
wm. 
The storm's mad noises are like music to thy soul, ^y 
The wild winds smile, like lovers round thee roll. 



68 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



y Proud bird of liberty! Emblem so bold and free! 
W^-, Thou spurnesfrgyves and galling chains man makes | 
V" for thee; 

All trivial are his armaments, in vain his skill; 

His genius nor his science reach thy sky-crowned 
^ hill. 



■HiiS 



fey 







y^n. 







1. 



i)i 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



THE SNOW. 




Oh, the Snow! the snow! Oh, the soft white snow^ 
.'Away the light feathery flakes dancing go; 

2 

Like spirits of light in the air they float 
> Each speck like a tiny fairy's boat; 



v^Or like veils of Ernaine from depths of sky 
- To cover the Earth and in beauty lie; 



'^' Or like gossamer garments to clothe the trees. 
Borne far to the woods on the quivering breeze. 

[^All nature enrobes in these plumes of light, 
That sparkle like gems in the sunbeams bright, 



Hiding the gloom of the barren Earth, 

With these beautiful wreaths of heavenly birth 




^s^. 



70 




DESCRIPTIVE rOEMS. 



How they dance in their gladness, whirling along 
With a glee of their own, and their own sweet song 



Like a myriad doves, on their feathery pinions' 
Bringing quiet and peace through God's dominionsS^^ 








DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



t 



THE FIGHT. 



% 



The fierce, far moan 
Of the battle groan 
Freighted the air, 
Like demons dying there. 



'5#^> 



^J^' 



% 



Earth a crimson red 
Pillow for the dead; 
The pall, the dark smoke 
That o'er the dying broke. 

3 
The shuddering sky, — 

Sulphurous canopy, — 
Grew black as night; — 
Appalled with fright. 

4 
Like shattered glass, 
Bones crack in mass. 
As the hot shot fell 
Like fire-balls from hell. 





«^^g*^^po>" 





DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



h 



Lo! the shock of steel! 
Men quivering feel 
The jagged wound, 
In gory death bound. 



Hate stares with eyes 
Veiled in blood dyes; 
Carnage sweeps with red 
Wreaths for the dead. 












^^ 



■\K 



^: 



Life is trampled out 
At each exultant shout; — 
Dying murmurs given 
To the winds of heaven. 

8 
Tear-stained Mercy shrinks 
When battle-Demon drinks 
His fill of human blood, — 
Trodden into the mud! 



(<, 



? 



Pity shrinks from sight, 
The earth is filled with night; 
Peace in delirium calls . 
From life's embattered walls. 



**'^^|==-«sa«^ 



■^ 




DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 

lO 

O'er all gaunt Horror smiles, 
At the maddening files 
Of the wild, wierd array, — 
Mad demons at their play! 



73 



■A ■< , ■ 

\3i ;/ 



t 



Folly with its sneer, 
Hovers o'er each bier, 
Mocking at each life 
Lost in murderous strife! 

12 

Barriers are rent from hell 
To help the battle fell; 
While fiends range loose about; 
And raise the battle-shout. 

13 
Misery haunts the field. 
Where Pity cannot shield, 
While Torture hideous smiles 
On battle-torn for miles. 

14 
Blood holds high revelry 
O'er this deep deviltry; 
And covers the earth 
With its crimson mirth. 






1 



fp 





gg^s^^o-i- 




74 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



,/T' 



15 
Glory haloes all, 
While Death plays at ball; 
Each throw is a corse, 
Crushed without remorse. 



i'" 







^^■' 



FALLING LEAVES. 



The leaves are falling, falling, 
In merry, gladsome play; 

The birds are calling, calling 
Southward every day. 



Golden-crimson is their dress 
Floating on the breeze; 

Softest winds with them caress, 
Snatch them from the trees. 



^1 



% 



Like to gold and crimson rain, — 

Showers of colored snow, — 
They clothe the mountain and the plain, 

Dancing as they go. 



Spreading Cashmeres o'er the earth, 

Carpets soft to tread; 
Woven in with playful mirth. 

Making winter bed. 



■J 








DESCRIPTIVE POEMS 

5 
A gala sight to watch them fall, — 

Wings of light on air, 
Fluttering mourners, bearing pall 

Of Autumn to his lair. 

6 
Sometimes one by one they fall, 

Doubting where to go; 
Scarcely seem to move at all, 

Floating to and fro. 

7 
Wildly through the air they sweep. 

Witches dance they form. 
While tornadoes makes them leap 

Madly in the storm; — 

8 
Float and whiz, and whirl and toss,- 

Foam upon the blast;. 
Filling wide the space across 

Charging furiously past. 

9 
The trees are only shedding 

Their old, worn-out dress, 
As souls cast earthly bedding 

For eternal rest. 






J 



«^ 






fi 



€3^- 



^.^ 



f 




DESCRIPTIVE POEMS 



Desolate the cobweb trees 

Shooting spires to heaven; 
Through them sweeps the howling breeze, 

Far their limbs are driven. 



Through naked branch the sad winds sigh !^' 
Their lost emerald crown; -^^ : 

While Winter stares with sullen eye, ^r^. 

With ice-bands holds them down. (W 



So fall infancy, youth, age, 

Facing Wintry life; — 
Empires to oblivion's page: — 

All with death is rife. 

13 
But as trees renew their life, — 

With new buds do grow, 
So man's soul outlives its strife, 

In Heaven fresh seed to sow. 



7^ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



w 



TOWARDS EVE. 



§ 



# 



Red rolls the sun s fierce, glowing light, 
O'er all the earth, ensanguined bright; 
The clouds are tinged with battle's hue, 
As if they were leagued with him too. 

2 

The air is filled with reddened glare. 
Reflected crimson all things share; 
The fields are lit with scarlet glow; 
As if enflamed the streamlets flow. 



i 






'Tis as the Sun had oped a vein 
And flooded earth with crimson rain, 
To prove the love his fiery soul 
Contains; love's laws that him control. 



'Tis but the love-light of the sky 
Red kisses that on earth do lie. 
A burning glance from eyes of fire. 
Radiant with love, not fierce with ire. 



^:' 






iS 




DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



*Tis but Love's blush on Nature's face 
The rubies that her bosom grace. 
The sun's red mantle of repose, 
He wears as down the West he goes. 

6 
These flames are his red funeral pyre, 
All radiant as a robe of fire. 
All Nature joins in his death song, 
While softer tints the scene prolong. 






(97- 





THE STARS. 

^ 



Ye glittering jewels on the brow of Night, 
-,•■' That beam with softened and beshrouded light; 
"'^, ,;Hung like high beacons in the deep profound, 
^ In glory swinging, uttering not a sound. 

^^: Mysterious spheres! In space so far apart! 
^?''' Countless the miles your beams through ether dart 

'^^Lamps .in the highways of the realms above, 
:- ' O'er which the angels flit on wings of Love. 



> All silent proof of vast Creation's size; 
%\ Immensities past mete or measure rise. 
;/^Ages on ages shone your quenchless light, 
(^"When Earth itself was in chaotic night, 

^^^f'' Sublime world-seers of God's endless power; 
- Eternity to you 's a birthright dower; 
Ye seem to roll without or stop or change; 
In endless fliglit of years ye constant range, 






J^%s^) ^ 



^^^i8«*5^ 



^M\ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



O'er all the depths of distant Ether swinging; 
On changeless axes turning; paeans ringing; 
Ever and aye the Majesty of God 
Chanting o'er paths no mortal foot hath trod. 




^^- . Ye wear the tranquil smile of spirits free, 
■^ That float o'er billowy air, on azure sea, — 
^i;Bright shining ships, all set with glittering sails, 
'V^' Weathering serenely the celestial gales. 

^^' 7 

Jeweled tiara on God's awful Brow, 
Before whose Holy Light all systems bow; 
«|'Halos of glory that enwreathe the night, — 
^i"q Sublime examples of Creative Might. 



', \ ■■'■ 



V-^' 



i ^.■ Lit portals that do guard the realms of heaven, 
Y'i Through which our souls must pass to be forgiven; 
K^^Pejeweled diadems around the Throne, 
;- .= Each a lamp, enlit by God alone. 



Monarchs of fire! enflamed supernal beauty, 
Godlike in size and mien your dwellers be; — 
A race of demigods, — unearthly mold, — 
Celestial in conceptions, — might untold; 



82 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



// 



:/•; 




Sublimer, holier worship, — purer mind, — 
Whose souls with God's are closer still entwin; 
Whose seas and mountains, wonderful to see, 
Of grander size, are worthier planets free. 

II 

The hieroglyphics of the desert blue. 

The Bible of the heavens, whose leaves but fe 

Can e'er interpret; yet a light divine 

We read within those Suns, if we incline. — 



W 



A light that tells of God's creative power,- 
Unthinkable space! A tithe is but our dower 
The Sphinx of Time, which leaves us still in wonder, 
In awe of that dread Face veiled in the thunder. 

k^:;, On Fancy's wings I mount to realms of space, 
^And meet the angry lightnings face to face, 
( I feel the shock of thunders rolling rain. 
And crushed, abashed, I sink to earth again. 

4?-' 14 

V But even there, amid the forming clouds, 
^ifU'igh o'er the earth, where mysteries lie in crowds 

\ I seem to touch eternity's beginning; 



^ 



Ye stars seem just as far above me spinning. 




DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



THE HURRICANE. 



& 

m 



Behold the darkened masses on the air, 
Amid their mystic depths I have my lair; 
My voice the thunder, lightning in my eye, 
JVs, with the whirlwind's speed, to earth I fly. 
^At first, spell-bound, I sleep within the calm, — 
So still, I seem but as a heavenly balm: 



But soon I dance, I rend, I tear around^ 



^^ 



.-, Then all earth trembles at my fearful sound. 
With rocks and trees in my titanic grasp, 
'fRoofs, spires and towers as easily I clasp; 
'01 oak leviathans sink in the deep. 

And rend the palaces while inmates sleep, 
f<' Devouring cities in my fearful rage; 
M I spare not man nor woman, youth or age. 
/^The Fiend of Air, I pass with howling wail^ 
'^-^'^ And reap Death's carnage with my threshing flail 
Earth shudders at my wild terrific roar; 
-'From my wide jaws both death and ruin pour. 






/?.^ 



My every shriek 's a death-foretelling knell; 



/• ' I rend the earth with very jaws of hell. 
See all things fly upon my sweeping blast. 
As if tossed up by reckless furies fast; 



1 




84 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



]?^ Like darkening curtain hiding things from view, ,V' 
As in a deluge rains pierce all things through. '^ ' 

*• Hark to the grumblings of the gasping earth, 

As it opens wide at the Earthquake's birth. r 

^_ Each living thing doth standappalledwith fear, 
'a As the ominous sound salutes the quickened ear. -,^^ 
All Nature seems to cower and shrink with dread, 
As the Earthquake moves along with hideous tread, ^^ j^ 
And its distended jaws ope to devour . aT 

Palace and hut, crushed in its awful power. 
■- . Wide ruin marks its unseemly path. 

As if hell's legions were let loose in wrath. 
What fiendish roars come hissing on the gale, 
^Like untombed spirits shrieking battle wail. s^ 

^a^||The flooding rains all frantic leap along, H 

V Scouring the Earth, which echoes their wild song, ,1^ 
Until the wondering air, enwreathed with boilings,^ 
Coils thickly o'er the sun's face as they list, [mist, i 
Ha! Feel the shudder of the quaking ground! '- i' 
While maniac winds dishevel all around: O 

Driving thick vapors out in scattered feai", ;jl 

As spirit hell-hounds in their fury rear. 
Each whirlwind grapples earth in deadly haste, 
And leaves a desolate track of arid waste; 
With mocking shriek they gasp their greedy way, 
And death doth bury all in pallid play. 







S]m{sL^£i^^ ' ^^^^^^^ ,f\ L^ .- 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



LOVE. 







Love is a nestling flower, soft blooming 'mid desire; 
Love smiles on cherry lips, and glows in eyes of fire; 
Love sits at ease upon the rosy cheek of youth, ^' ,. 
As if it were the only throne it knew, in truth. ^T 

Love crowns the forehead white, and rounds the 

dimpled chin; 
Love breathes with charmer's voice, and leads the 

captive in. 
Love, sportive, wantons wild amid the clustering 

curls; 
Love threads the maze and waltzes 'mid the dances| 

whirls; / 

Love's fairest wreathes he gives to youth and beau- 

ty, 

Love sports with these, and fills a pleasant duty. 

Love is a god, with bow and arrows, winged so free. 

Sweeter than all sweet things we know of, or that be. 

Love pants within the fnind, the soul, the heaving 
breast. 

Love's blind, and blinds us all to think our charm- 
er best. 



1 ,Vf'. 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



THE STARS. 




Bright and serene ye stud the highest heavens, 
Like hymns of quivering flame, sung to your God. 
How calmly look ye on our mortal strife; 
Changeless as Fate, ye wear the same bright smile. 
Sorrow and plague touch not your shining brows; 
Age after age ye glow e'er bright and pure; 
Your light divine no mortal touch can mar. 
Ye scintillate sublimest poetry 
Dotted on leaves of flame, by torch of God! 



3: 






Our songs breathe hopes for radiance like to yours, 
That lights the dance of the Eternal years. 
Ye jewel all the heavens in wreaths of glory. 
And set the soul on wonder's questioning edge. 
Widening mind's Empire e'en to marvel's verge. 
Ye gild with mystery all the depths of sky; 
Like shining gossamers ye hang in space; 
Like constant lovers, brightly torch the night. 
And ever bend sweet aspect on us all. 
Hope wings its flight unto your starry homes. 




■'ik^. 




DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



^7 



Speak ye in whispers, sweeter thau of Earth? 
Does music there possess a tenderer thrill? 
Is love enthroned with passion in your hearts? 
Does mind con grander laws; sing loftier songs? 
Does genius nobler temples build of fame? — 
Sublimer monuments or holier fanes? 
<5^ Does God hold closer converse with ye all? 



'^ 



Ye tremble in the heavens like lips of fire 
Telling the wondrous mystery of God. 
Earth's denizens may drench our world in blood, 
Yet on your fronts doth sit the same bright smile. 

■^Like flaming sphinx ye flaunt your mystery. 
And stir our souls with life's great problem o'er. 
Till brains do swell to bursting with the thought 

i Of what ye are or mean. 

5 
S^': Ah! Let us think 

There is beyond a sweeter thrill of love; 
And holier temples there and purer thoughts. 
*/'■ Let Earth's lone beggars long for riches there; 
The trodden slave for freedom and repose; 
The sick and weak for softer air and skies! 
Life's torture is forgotten as we gaze. 
Life's darkness flies before your radiance. 








% 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



'Tis death alone can rend the parting veil 

That hides from us your temples and your God. 

On phcnix wings we'd soar to your high realms, 

Taste for an instant of eternal life, 

And bathe in fountains that perpetual spring. 



Are flowers not brighter on your perfumed plains?(,^ 

Do they not wear e'en more etherial shapes? 

Does beauty build there forms more ravishine? <'y-. 



How darkness grows to glory when ye shine 
Ye feed with wonderment our little souls, 
As fresh from God's great hand ye reappear 
With light renewed. Ye are as sacred links 
In the vast chain that binds us all to heaven, 
Ye tread the dance of worlds through maze sublime 
And light God's mystic wilderness of space. 
Flame-ships, with treasury of heaven for freight; 
Illumined bowers, where spirits bask in light; 
Epics of space unending, from God's hand, 
Writ for Philosophy to render plain! — 
Eternal mystery of still coming years 
That gives us pause for thought! — 





.^ 




^-^^^H^^ 



(i^ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



89 # 



Ye ponderous spheres, 
That float through space as if on wings of down: 
[iNo sound betrays the hid Titanic power 
That through the silent night your masses moves 
In such perfection that e'en mortal ken 
^Can tell your coming! O, what magic dwells 
¥rE.'en in your stillness, and ye seem as 'twere 
if .A floating Dream from the great soul of God' 



'i 






'^ 




90 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



THE EAGLE. 



^. 



^ 



Winged chieftain of the pathless air, 
Thy home is on the mountain bare; 
Thou soarest far to the zenitli high, 
Peering to earth with thy piercing eye. 



I 



V 







On broad, majestic pinions borne. 
Thou soarest to the heights of storm, 
Shrieking far above the clouds, 
Mocking the hurricane shrouds. 

3 
Thou daring rover of the air, 
Undaunted, thy spread pinions bear 
Thee o'er all the wide Expanse, 
Quaking the winged tribe with thy glance. 

4 
On golden standards borne in war. 
In the front of battle car. 
Thou art th' advancing warrior's guide 
Surging over the battle tide. 





DESCRIPTIVE POEMS, 



91. 



Perched on the banner of the free, — • 
The guardian of our liberty, — 
Thou proudly sittest on thy throne 
Godlike, exultant, and alone. 



Glorious bird of liberty!— 
Fearless, self-dependent, free! 
Disdaining earth, with daring wing 
Curving through space with mighty swing. 



cA 



Winged Conqueror of the air, — 
Thy plume is monarch every where! 
Death lies within thy fearful swoop, 
As the shrinking prey thy talons coop. 




Thou grey-robed sovereign of the sky, 
Thy flashing eyes dart far and nigh, 
Finding thy prey in waters blue, 
Or, on the wing, beak striking through. 

9 
Calm is thy strength on waves of air, 

With glory thee the billows bear; 

Majestic bird, sweeping along 

Through regions that to thee belong. 






92 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



A 



K 



'f^ 






^ 




Thou high-pitched clarion of the air, 
Waking the winged tribes everywhere. 
Thy shriek is like a battle-cry,^ 
Mettled warrior of the sky! 

II 
Thou feathered glory of high heaven, 
In Nature's grayest livery woven! 
Sweeping from thy airy peak, 
Curving the air with scimitar beak. 

12 

Motionless upon the air, 
Sheathing thy crescent sabre there; 
With thy mighty wings outspread, 
Thou sittest, as upon the dead. 

Gladiator of the desert blue; — 
Beak, wing, and talons always true; 
Challenging all with fiery glance, 
Daring all things to advance. 

Winged messenger of gory war. 
That always leads the battle-car; — 
Thy beak e'er ready for the fray. 
All up in arms to fight thy way. 







4. 



"§ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 

15 
Champion of the winged kind, 
Swift rushing on the sweeping wind, 
Thy form is Freedom's self on wing. 
Of realms of air the Liberty King! 

16 
Perched on the invisible air, 
Floating in thy glory there; 
With thy glance so bold and free, 
Sweeping wide the airy sea, 

17 
Undimed before the God of Fire! 
Thine eye doth scorn his fiercest ire; 
Proudly soaring in the sun's eye — 
He, King of light! Thou of the sky! 




Vi' 



«r--«i Is^^^ 4C--^ 




C^ 



94 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



MORN. 



t 




Out of the loves of sun and air, 
Are cherubs born so golden fair; 
With crimson eyes tliey peer around, 
On wings of light they float and bound. 

2 

Each cherub woos a bubble-dew. 
And loving tries to pierce it through. 
Look, what gems of light are there, 
Rainbow-plumed, flashing and fair. 

3 
Their kisses meet upon the dew, 
Then diamonds flit the ether through; 
All nature is one trembling mine, 
And soft winds over all entwine. 






^ 



'1^ 



^. 



y. 



o> 




DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



95 



THE BATTLE. 



Blood! Blood! On every side, 
In one vast flowing tide; 
Broken heads and shattered bones; 
Anguished cries, and dying groans. 

2 

Arms and legs flung in the air; 
Skulls cleft open, or laid bare. 
Flesh torn off and strewed around. 
Frightful gash and bleeding wound. 



Earth rent with the flying shell. 
Pandemonium, as of hell! 
Torture, rage, and bloody hate, — 
Thousands meeting awful fate. 

4 
Horrid curses, piercing shrieks; 
The cruel bayonet dripping reeks; — 
Slashing, cutting, jagging through, 
Living foemen growing few. 



(f^ 



96 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



Shooting, cutting men asunder, 
Riding down and trampling under 
Clutch each other by the throat; 
Hurl each other in the moat. 

6 
Death and ruin everywhere; 
Oozing brains and scattered hair; 
Hearts torn out from bosoms bare; 
Eyes wrenched from their sockets there 



1^ 



.^ 



■ 'J 



Men and horses trod in mire; 
Awful mixture on Death's pyre; 
A hecatomb of mangled dead. 
Valor, strength forever fled. 

8 
Begrimed with dirt, and blood, and smoke, 
Men, horses felled with sabre stroke. 
Carcasses rot in the sun, — 
Disgusting sight when all is done! 

9 

The cries of pain and horrid sounds; 
Festering sores and fly-blown wounds; 
The hiss of shells, the cannon's roar, 
The flying shot, the earth uptore. 



t 



^ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



97 



A fearful stench upon the air; 
Ruffians, robbers everywhere; 
Fleecing the dying and the dead, 
Knocking the living on the head. 

II 
Amputations and gangrene; 
Such mutilation never seen; 
Cancelling the face divine; — 
Cripples all along the line! 








,y 



'■^ 







98 



/" 



V^ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



MORNING. 



C 



O, the sweet morning! The freshness of the morn- 
ing air! 

Like golden perfumes softly floatmg everywhere. 

The Sunbeams dancing upwacd, downward, merry 
and free, 

Kiss the bright cloudings o'er the radiant earth 

•i and sea. 



What odor sweet, divine, breathes in the morning 
V r air! 

What wine of life the chalices, dew-laden, bear! 
The birds' sweet notes on raptured zephyrs' wings 

are borne; 
Nature on tiptoe, kissing, greets the glowing morn. 



'i 



^&m^- 



. <C' 



^^< 






3 




Who with a soul endowed with fire 
Can list to Music's sweeping lyre, 
But soulful songs his bosom fill? 
With melody his pulses thrill? 

2 

The deep toned Organ swells the air, 
Floating like surges everywhere, 
Its solemn tones in wonder roll 
Like voice of Heaven upon the soul! 



h 



s 



Who hears the sound of Castinets 
Or chords struck on the Zither's frets, 
But longs to join the dance so free, 
That waves and whirls, like crests of sea! 



List to the Zither's wierd, wild note. 
In pulsing tones that faintly float. 
Again pitched high above the clouds. 
Then low again, as from death-shrouds. 



\: 




lOO DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 

^& 
5 -1 ■ 

The trembling of the Harp's sweet strings, ^i/ 
That through our every fibre rings, 
As if each tone a spirit guides 
To waft it to celestial tides! 



■0^- 






The bright notes of the Cornet roll, — 
Trumpet of gods, — a cadenced soul! 
Upswelling strains that are divine; — 
The perfect tones through each entwine! 

7 
Hark to the cheery Bugle blast! 
The chargers ride furious and fast! 
The warlike strains, inspiring, bold, 
Make cowards heroes, young of old! 



M 




Hark to the ringing Clarion's note. 
As if from war-god's martial throat; 
Fearless and loud it sounds on high, 
Piercing the air from Earth to sky. 

9 
The tattoos of the stirring Drum, 
Whose roll and rattle, beat and hum. 
Rouse soldiers with the battle fi.re. 
To bravest deeds their hearts inspire. 



; *. 



r^-. 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



lOI 



t^) 



Behold the stately Piano grand, 
Around it wealth and fashion stand; 
A master hand touches the keys, 
And wondrous leap its melodies. 

II 
E'en twangs of simple Jews-harp dart, 
To play which well requires some art. 
Amusing still the vacant hour 
For careless soul with comic power. 






m 



List to the solemn Funeral Dirge 
As the dread notes within us surge; 
Sad, wailing, melancholy, slow. 
As if all earth were steeped in woe. 

13 
Hark to the soft and mellow Flute, 
Or hear the maiden touch her Lute; 
Or silvery tinkle of Guitar, — 
That melts with love, or glows with war. 

14 
Now the shrill Fife doth pierce the ear, 
To warn of death or danger near; 
To call the soldier to the fight. 
Or bury him at dead of night. 



1C2 DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



'^•^1 



( J 









i^' 



15 V 

\- 

Hark to the Trumpet's clanging call: 
Its ringing notes inspire us all; k 

Defiant cry from battle ground. T 

"Stand to your guns!" it seems to sound. 

16 vv 
Hush! Silent all! Bow to the King! C 

Tis Music's self on matchless string! — - 

t 
The Violin, inspired, sublime, I 

Most perfect instrument of Time. (^ 

17 
The master draws his bow once more: 
How fine his touch! The rich notes pour 
\xs. tones that sing, weep, float or dance, 
Or dreamings that the soul entrance. Ji 

iS 
Music! — Soul of the Universe, 
That God has breathed in measured verse. 
Organ of myriad tones, on high, 
Whose keys God touches in the sky. 



y 



■-^■ 



-^ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS, 



THE SUNBEAM 



From East uprising, 
Horizon lighting, 
Roseate morning, 
Softly diffusing, 
Earth piercing, 
Leaves goldening, 
Trees reviving, 
Flowers tinting. 
Harvests ripening, 
Nature warming. 
Objects beautifying. 
Veils mantling. 
Light dancing. 
Rents piercing. 
Shadows forming, 
Space filling, 
Heat penetrating. 
Life awakening. 
Glory haloing. 
Nature transfiguring, 




\<^T 



// 




,f 



C^^\ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 

Air carnationing, 
Clouds painting, 
Rainbow pluming, 
Sunbeams quivering, 
Seeds upstarting, 
Buds appearing, 
Leaves unfolding, 
Blossoms coaxing. 
Flowers perfuming. 
Body vivifying, 

Mind exulting. 

Soul cheering. 

Gratitude arousing, 

God worshiping. 



t 



# 









^}^ 



^ 



f 




mi 





\s^^^ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



io5i 



NIGHT. 



X 



The moon is up! Her soft beams gloss the earth 
With mild and subdued glory, far more winning 
Than when the sun doth blaze the earth with splen- 
dor. 
As I walk forth, and night's sweet incense breathe, 
I feel the fine and deep intoxication 
, Of the shadowy world around. 
' I stand beneath 

The canopy of stars, that seem to nod 
^- 'Their shining casques in welcome; each and all 
With golden winkings bidding me all hail! 
Their glances seem a benediction sweet; 
Serenely soft their subdued light appears. 
Each shining tent is spread amid the heavens 
And joyful sprites peep 'neath their golden rims, 
Waving their bannered lights toward me. 

Voices quiver in their starry twinklings, — 
Voices of welcome to my 'raptured soul. 
Hark! from those wide boundaries of heaven 
Come tones immortal. 



'"--^^^■^^ 



1 06 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



'• Lo! God's treasury! 

This boundless waste of illimitable air 
His casket is. These shining orbs of Night 
His jewels; gems of living light that move, 
Breathe, think and act; that circle therewith steeds t 
Of fire; that ride on lightning's flashing wings* ,\,-: 
That vault like tumblers all sublime and roll : ' . 

■ •In billowy air, like phantom ships that plunge. 

Here is the great arena. Into space — ^K^ 
Come vaulting all the progeny of God: — 
These balls of fire He tosses into air 
As earthly jugglers tiny balls in play. 

These fiery tops of heaven! how they spin! 
Whirling, exulting in their bounding life; 
Leaping in glory, hallelujahs pinging 
Shouting hosannas to Creator, — God! 

From all their blazing thrones what wonders start 






■Mr 
I, 



ij To awe mankind! What comets with their tails 
\0 Stream glittering down like spreading heavenly fans 
Of flame, as if to winnow the cold air 
To amorous fire, and zig-zag sudden dart 
Like harlequins of flame, 
j Each star-girt spirit, 

^' ' With nodding plumes of fire, lifts up its face, — 
; A silent witness of the majesty of God. 
Each one instils in chambers of the soul 



^ DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. IO7 

> The mystery of heaven; and spirit voices 
, . Float down from lofty summits soft to breathe 
% The dream of Immortality. From those 
Celestial bowers of light a spark is sent 
T' illumine souls and radiate paths to heaven. 

Who, gazing on those boundless fields of azure 
Soft blooming with their golden fruit, feels not 
To his soul's core their starry perfume, sent 
/^V.From God's own boudoir his poor life to- sweeten? 
' " Hanging rich garlands on its rosy thorns, 
, And melodies divine to raven ears of Time 

Soft breathing. Mingling all the harmonies 
'.'Of heaven with our dull notes of earth; and o'er 
Life's darkest shadows crossing starry beams. — 
A token of that sweet, perpetual radiance 
That fills all heaven, and sanctifies existence 
Into one quivering, long, ecstatic dream! 
Oh, Night! Upon thy shadowy forehead gleam 
Thy starry clusters, with a magic that 
E'en day cannot surpass. 

Around thy throne 
Strange spirits do thy bidding; and across 
Thy dusky void doth Fancy see in darkness 
Flit thy winged messengers, with ghost-like harvests 
Laden, gleaned from thy sombre fields, to feed 
The unseen spirits of the universe. 



"x- 




Io8 DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. l\}' 

From the unmeasured depths of thy great womb, 
O, Night! are born the brooding fancies that 
Do fill mankind with awe and wonder. ,, 

O, Night! with solemn joy thou treadst the earthy 
Weaving a mystic mask, peopling the void 
With thy weird ministers, thy hand upon our hearts 
So softly laid, their beatings wild to still. 
And lull the brain beneath thy dusky spell; 
Wrapping all earth within a haze of rest, \\n 

And silent dropping dews from starry fountains; 
Filling the cups of Life with gentle showers, 
That earth may drink e'en while it sleeps, and in 
That sleep to grow in beauty; to receive 
Thy benediction sweet, and so awake K 

To a more glorious majesty and power. 

O'er the sleeping leaves and flowers thou bendest 
With overflowing eyes, that gentle tears 
Let fall, which come like unto heavenly balm 
To their parched throats; and through the burning 

day 
The perfume of their nostrils and their brightened 

eyes 
Attest thy restful presence and thy power, 

O, Night! As we behold thy spectral glories 
Circle us round, we feel a power breathe 
On us like Death in Life, so still, so calm. 



v^.- ^ ^^^ --.^..r^-ar^?^ 



DESCRIPTIVE POEMS. 



109 



We gaze upon the solemn wastes of solitude; 

There naught is heard but echoes of the wind 

That in its fury all the tranquil world 

Would lash from its strange lethargy, — 

That seems in mourning for the day's lost splendor. 

Through the shadowy space an owl's hoot pierces; 
A wolf's lone, hungry howl is heard afar; 
Or surges of the restless ocean rise; 
Or plaintive murmur of some sylvan stream. 

Though stars do build within thy arching halls, 
Their banquet fires, O, Night! Though they do 

vault 
In curves sublime; Though daily they send forth 
Their morn and evening chaunt; and bugle blasts 
Of hosts of Toil resound within their mansions; 
' Thou hushest e'en their strongest murmurs. 
And but the silence of thy mystery floats 
Unto our spiritual ears. Yet many a host, 
All around, flings out its banner, many an aisle 
Is ringing now with loud hosannas 
Unto their God, and as my soul's quick eye 
Pierces the thickened gloom, my soul's ear drinks 
The volley roll of doom of the storm-spirit 
Within those matchless climes. 

Methinks I see 
Their snow-clad sierras; God's great alters, lifting 



'-'if-) 




no 



DESCRIPTIVE rOEMS. 



i y^ 



Their icy scalps high up in heaven, and hear 
The sweeping avalanche roar in its leaps, 
And see the glittering rims of flitting light 
With countless prisms flash many a leaping torrent. 

Again, methinks, as gazing through thy world, 
O, Night! I see Life edited again 
With Godlike majesty and glory far 
Surpassing Earth, and past my wandering vision 
There floats a pageant all divine, that is 
All worthy of those grander worlds. 

Methinks 
Thy dark vault is imbued with living Presence, — 
The Presence of all Mystery, that takes 
Captive the soul, and leads us in our musings 
Nearer to God! 

The heavens smile, 
As 'twere the honeymoon of Gods in love. 
Methinks I see the Spirit of Creation 
Waving His Wand in Welcome to the orbs — 
The starry orbs around. I see each star 
Raise upon tiptoe in its rapture, 
While each gives Life's salute unto its God! 



%: 



V; 



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PERSONAL POEMS. 



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A.-, 



^ 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



11^ \k 



DESPISE THE POET AND HIS 
SONGS. 



Despise the Poet and his songs! tS^ 
What grovelling spirit thus portrays 

His paltry soul as time prolongs ' ' 

His Earthly life in vulgar ways? ' %*' 



^t;" 



Must we still crawl upon the Earth, 
And never view the glorious skies? 

Can souls with spark of heavenly birth 
Disdain Creation's splendid dyes? 

3 
The glory of earth, air and sky; 

The strength of man, the grace of child, 
And woman's beauty; all that vie 

In feeling pure or fancy wild. 

4 
The poet is interpreter, 

To solve the riddles as they pass; 
In love or war, in peace or stir, 

To flood with light the living mass. 



^' 



i^ f fT ^^^t- 



ii6 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



Who spurns the poet, chides his God!— 
Ignores the splendor that He gives. 

God is a Poet, on a sod 

That in eternal verdure lives. 

6 

The poet lifts his loving heart 

In verse; his soul flows out in sotig 

That finds no language in the mart, 
Its raptured fancies to prolong. 

7 
Oh) grandest office of the Earth, 

To sing the glory of his God! 
Thrill man vv^ith themes of heavenly birth, 

Or glorify the Earth He trod! 



t 
% 



To gild the deeds of passing life, 
To weep with every passing woe, 

The lesson gleam from jarring strife 
Or warning follies as they go. 

9 

The poet refiner is of thought:— 

To feeling tenderer shades are given, 
To music sweeter fancies taught 
To all of earth a tinsre of heaven! 



I 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



llj- 



The Poet! God's most gentle child, 

With pleasure thrilled by all that's pure 

To verse sublime; to passion wild 
By wrong too grievous to endure. 



He teaches hardened men to weep; 

His pathos sweeps the arid soul; 
He opes the living fountains deep 

That buried seem beyond control. 



He sweetens all life's hardest ways; 

He leads the soul to loftier themes; 
He gilds the storm with brightening rays, 

And blends the rainbow with his dreams. 

He knows of other lives than ours; 

He tells us of another world; — 
Eternal lives, enwreathed with flowers 

Whose glories are fore'er unfurled. 



fj^ 




PERSONAL POEMS. 



CULPRIT FAY. 



If a Spirit from heaven earthward bound, ' 
Sought in verse to compose an airy round, 
How could he outmatch the sweet Culprit Fay, 
Or in music sing more delicious lay? 



■h 



^e, " 




PERSONAL POEMS. 



119 



BRYANT. 



Revere the Poet for all time, 
J^£\ Whose solemn, contemplative rhyme — 

Conceptions of majestic lyre! — 
Condemn the triflers to their pyre. 

2 

Not for one age thy work was done, 
Sk 'Twill live when Time his race has run; 

Each cycle still will bear it down 
^ The stream of years with fresh renown. 

-' 3 

Nature is all adored by thee. 
Her works ne'er could more honored be 
Than in thy song, whose reverent aim 
Has linked her glory with thy fame. 






~-' is-' 



A wondrous poise is in thy song, 
Like Anthem sweeping grand along; 
Thy verses roll like ocean wave. 
In noble movement, free from rave. 



I20 



^-s.: 




PERSONAL POEMS. 



A pensive softness o'er them thrown^ 
Breathes requiem for beauty flown, 
Or worship deep at Nature's shrine. 
Or wonder at all things Divine, 

6 
No mawkishness unmans thy verse, 
No weak despair or bitter curse; 
But, sternly patient to thy lot. 
Thy song is pure, without a blot. 

7 
Achastelymind is thy rare charm; 
On thy pure page no theme can harm. 
High priest of Nature, laurel-crowned, 
Thy thoughts with sermons true abound. 





^^^ PWw^ l^*"^ 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



121 



A SONG. 



O, that I were a golden cloud! 

I'd pillow on the sky. 
O, that I were an azure wave! 

In ocean's depths I'd lie. 



M 



O, that I were a twinkling star! 

In heaven's vault I'd roam. 
O, that I were a song of Love! 

In a heart I'd make my home. 










^A^s- 




\fe 122 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



WHITTIER. 



f 



Thy trumpet voice was Slavery's knell! 
Like solid shot thy verses fell 
Upon that dark and noxious power, 
To warn it of its final hour. 



^ 






Thy clarion tone defied the curse, 
Nor silenced was by sword or purse. 
Ne'er nobler spirit did indite 
The naked truth, or seek the light. 

3 
Thy daring pen^ with genius plumed 
A great and dangerous task assumed. 
With swift and deadly blows it dealt 
At sin and crime, where'er they dwelt. 



^ 



Yet grand and noble thoughts oft theme 
Thy flowing verse, where virtues gleam; 
As if inspired, like seer of old. 
To tell the nation truths of gold. 



PERSONAL rOEMS. 

5 



123 



Thy numbers flow in classic stream 

As clear as light, each word a gleam! 

No dubious sense e'er fills the line 

But frankness doth with strength entwine. 

6 
There's wisdom in thy fiery thought; — 
Contempt of meanness, truth unbought; 
Protest against abuse of power 
And passing vices of the hour. 

7 
In thee had Freedom champion true; 
For lowly men thy falchion drew; 
Their cause enlisted thy great heart, 
And nerved thy hand to smite and smart. 



m 



Hail! Poet of poets, man of men! 
No coward tricks lie in thy pen; 
But upright, face to face, to all, 
With Duty first, whate'er befall! 

9 
Thy lessons seem, like those of old, 

Set in a rugged ancient mold; 

They virtue teach as life's great end. 

Hail prophet, warrior, teacher, friend! 



-■^ 



■or' 



B24 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



TO LEILA. 



Thy beauty like a gleaming star 

Shines on my soul through space afar; 

Though wastes of ocean us divide, 

Thy gentle spirit dwells beside 

Me still; and I both day and night 

Live joyfully in thy pure sight. 

Though far away, yet art thou near; 

Thy soul leaps o'er the distance drear, 

And sits beside me, Leila, love. 

I feel thy charmful Presence move 

With me in all my daily walk, 

Whether I work, or dream, or talk. 

Thou art the spell my life to cheer, 

To banish every care or fear; 

In thought of thee is noonday light. 

Not think of thee! then comes the night. 

My fond heart sends its 'passioned greeting 

Far o'er the throbbing, envious sea, 

Till Fate doth grant a happy meeting 

With thee — my love — my destiny! 



C; 




PERSONAL POEMS, 



NAPOLEON. 




Hero of the thoughtful brow, 

Before whom nations once did bow, 

Battle-chieftain of the brave, 

Whose Empire Conquest could not save. 



Face and eye of eagle fire. 
In calmness pensive, fierce in ire; 
Voice of towering high command. 
Whose fateful mandate awed the land. 

3 
Lofty, solemn soul, and grand; 
The dogs of war fed from thy hand; 
Destiny gave her scroll to thee: 
Child of victory, matchless, free. 

4 
Immortal bays enwreathe thy name, 
Sublimest winner of warrior's fame. 
Dread conqueror of half the earth; 
Glory hovered o'er thy birth. 



y 



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f§d 





1- 



With will inexorably stern; 
With soul to dare at every turn 
Of Fortune's ever changing tide; 
Turbulently thy life did glide. 

6 
Alone, against a world in arms, 
Lion at bay; despite alarms 
Undaunted, or on Egypt's sands 
Or snows of Alps thine army stands. 



With odds against thee, yet no fear 
Within thy mighty soul; but near 
When danger needed thee, and still 
When conquered fighting; by thy will 



v?i. 






Changing defeat to victory. Earth 
Has no such figure! Thy great birth,- 
The stormy paths of thy rare life, — 
Were heralded and closed by strife. 

9 
Seas of blood around thee flowed. 

Fires of conquest round thee glowed, 

Iron hail in tempests rattled. 

The very war-gods for thee battled. 



V 




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^ 



ly 



PERSONAL POEMS 



127 



Mid dreadful shriek and bursting shell, 
Death, issuing from the gates of hell, 
Hangs on thy brow, mid sulphurous flame, ^ 
The cypress of an awful fame. 




C:' 






(f 



128 PERSONAL POEMS. 

Ik 

MY LOVE. 



I 



The blushing rose reminds of thee, O 

%\1 As does the perfumed honey-bee; ^ 

>^ The lily — radiant, stately, white, 1, 

'f ■ Seems thee transformed unto my sight. 1\^ 



2 

When sunlight goldens all the day, 
^,, Methinks thy hair hath lent its ray;. 

~V- 1 The moon's soft, chaste, and tender hue 

^ir-. Is but thine eyes own glance, so true. 

( r 3 

'. ') I list the sound of gushing rills, 

/N ) My ear with thy loved accents fills; 

/."' When birds their sweetest notes prolong. 

Strange, how they seem to catch thy sonj" . 

4 
/' ' When Flowers, rear their colored crests 

( I see the dyes of thy rare dress. 

When shadows fall across the Earth, 

Thy presence 'tis that gives them birth. 



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I 



^ 



1 






PERSONAL POEMS. 

.5 
I meet the g ances, frank and free, 
Of those that in the world I see, 
Thine eyes in all do hold my gaze, — 
Eyes so blue, of Heaven's haze. 



129 



i 



n 



i 



Each star in turn has stol'n thy glance 
And on me shoots a radiant lance; 
With love it penetrates my soul 
As dipped in Heaven's magic bowl. 

7 
Each passing breeze whispers of thee. 
Singing thy charms so pure and free- 
I gaze into the glassy lake. 
And see thy form in ripples break. 



■a 



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'-\\ 



X 



And as I tread the solid Earth, 
Each atom seems to catch thy mirth; 
My footsteps seem to ring thy laugh. 
Its merry peals my glad ears quaff. 

9 
Through the long night, in sweetest dreams, 
Thy Presence ever round me gleams; 
In each pulsation of my heart. 
Thou dwellest, an integral part. 



<^ 




'I ,' 




¥ 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



In every air of life's reprieve 
Thy breath of perfume I receive, 
Thy presence to my life is light, — 
A star of glory in my night. 



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i-^l 






0' 



>^.,, 




PERSONAL POEMS. 



I^I 



THE MOSES OF ANGELO. 



He stands before the block of stone, 
Silent, abashed, intent, alone; 
His look enwrapt seems fixed on air, 
As though he saw a statue there. 

2 

Ere long the chips of marble fly. 
Like shower of snow-flakes from the sky; 
That massive block rounds into line, 
Where majesty and power combine. 

3 
Day after day, from morn till eve. 
The master chisels; vowed to leave 
A figure that, while Time shall last, 
Shall speak for its creator; vast, 



Grand and sublime, to stand alone, 
Model of muscle, nerve and bone; 
So life-like that the stone shall speak 
To dullest eyes; and men shall seek 



13^ 



.PERSONAL POEMS. 






With wondering awe in every line, 
The Presence of a soul divine! — 
Transfigured thus the statue stands 
E'en as it left the sculptor's hands. 



V 



J 



tf 



Behold! It lives! It speaks! It breathes! 
An awful wonder round it wreathes. 
A wierd, transfixed, inquiring gaze, 
Dazed as if by a spirit's blaze, 

7 
As if a light before his eye, 
Like holy sunburst from the sky, 
Pervaded all the wondrous scene 
With Presence awful, yet serene. 

8 
The genius of the sculptor there 
Has carved a statue Time will bear 
With fresh delight adown each age, 
First on renowns immortal page. 






fw 



A matchless figure, noble, grand. 
Chiseled throughout with fervid hand 
Of genius, lit with purest rays 
Of Faith in God's deep hidden ways. 







^ 



c: 



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PERSONAL POEMS, 






-1^ 



JJ 



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/\\ The moral head, the lofty brow, 

The manly beard, the robe; I trow, 

All show a fine, imposing grace; 

While meaning fills th' heroic face. 
II 

Power and genius rival there, 
V With lofty grandeur every where: 

t . Sublimest look a face can give: ^ 

Awe, worship, duty, wonder live! 

Forever live! Each age proclaim ^ 

All honor to Angelo's name, ' 

^ Who made the lifeless marble shine 

With soul-expression all divine. 



^ 



1 



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Iiiii^ - •-r;^>i 



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134 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



% 



A VENUS. 



n 



The kisses hang upon her lip 

Like honey-dew for all to sip; ^ 

They bubble o'er with soft desire; "V 

Each kiss doth set the soul on fire. r^ 

2 
Her bosom, half-exposed to view, 
Soft mounts of Love, of snowy hue, % 

Tipped with young buds of sweetest flushes. 
Like virgin tide of morning blushes. 

3 
Her eyes are lit with smothered fires 
That burn with ardent, fond desires; 
Her cheeks the blushing peach outvie, — 
Voluptuous bloom wljere love-dreams lie. 

4 
With air so languishing she smiles, 

And meshes with her cunning wiles; 
Each dimple hides a Cupid's dart. 
That all unconscious pricks the heart. 



^=^^:^^4^eJ 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



135, 



Love's sweet aroma round her blows, 
Its amorous warmth within her glows* 
Her perfect form glides on so free, 
Like rosy goddess from the sea. 

6 
Her sportive curls do Love invite. 
Each curl a bower for Love t' alight. 
Reclined on couch, with rarest grace. 
She melts to love with winning face. 



^S 




i 



rpo 




136 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



.n 



THE LILY OF THE VALLEY. 



The lily bloom is fair to view 

In morning sunbeam, gemmed with dew; 

The human lily is fairer still, 

Pure as the streamlet's silver rill. 









^t 



Heaven's dew melts in her softened eye, 
Robed in azure of the sky; 
The lily's blush her cheeks o'erflow. 
Like virgin sun on flakes of snow. 

3 
She skips the green in snowy white, 
She looks a sylph there in the light; 
A human lily, pure and free, 
Like foam-flake of the waving sea. 

4 
Gold sunbeams glitter in her hair 
Beauteously silken, glossy, fair. 
Her feet, like fairy's, softly glide, 
O'er verdant pastures, rolling wide. 



I 










^^ 




'^. 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



137 



She looks so very pale and fair, — 

A beauty so exceeding rare, 

Like beams that from the moon were torn 

With lilies white were carnate born. 



m 




— ^ 



t. .^ 



I 




138 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



'&i' 



JOHN GRAY, THE BRAKEMAN. ,ig 

(see herald, august, 1877.) 



Only a brakeman! Yet a noble man, 
Through courage rising to a hero's span. 
A daring soul, fearless at danger's post! 
Through sacrifice of self, saving a host. 

2 
Only a brakeman! To his station true. 
Dead at his post! One of the glorious few, 
Who to their duty stand in fatal hours; 
When death his awful presence o'er them low'rs. 



r< 



Only a brakeman! Fame his honor ring! 
A common brakeman! Yet fit mate for King! 
King at his duty. Royal in his station; ^ 

Imperial man, example to the nation. 






Only a brakeman! What could he do more 
Who for his duty his life-blood will pour? — 
Who risks his life that fellow-men may live, — 
His life — the only wealth that he can give. 



PERSONAL POEMS 




139 



THE BRAVO. 



y 



Why stands he always there alone? 
See his muscle, nerve and bone. 
Look at his dark eyes' smothered fire, 
Sullen, strange, full of smouldering ire. 

2 

All shun him as they pass him by; — 
Dangerous, fierce, with stealthy eye. 
With looks half up, half on the ground; — 
A hired stiletto — a sleuth-hound. 

3 
The wild gleam in his savage face 
Is quick as his keen dagger's pace; 
Murd'rous, remorseless, without fear, 
His life a heath, darksome and drear. 



i^^' 



S- 



C; 



A shudder meets him when he smiles. 

His smile is death, brimfull of wiles. 

He half displays his snowy teeth, 

Like glistening blades half drawn from sheath. 



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t^' 



140 



PERSONAL POEMS. 






i 



His hands are dyed with human blood, 
He strikes: — no need of second thud! 
His eye is sure, his nerve as steel: 
His victims fall, but never reel, 

6 
His food's the price of human life! 
Cold-blooded murder — noiseless strife! 
A stealthy tiger — sudden bound! — 
Another victim lifeless found! 

7 
All know him, yet he passes free; 
His spared life is a mystery. 
How does he cooly face the world? 
With scorn upon his lip, half curl'd? 






t--^ 



'M 



All know his knife is swift and sure; 
All dread to meet his craft and lure; 
With cold disdain he stands at bay; — 
Hated and hating — hunting prey! 



•— ^sa-s€^s*s-esHis— 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



1411 



PRETTY MAIDEN. 



f 



Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
Will you love and cherish me, — • 
A roving sailor, bold and free? 

2 

Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 

Will you promise to be mine. 

And both our loving hearts entwine. 






GB 



Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
With eyes of deepest azure blue, 
Like jewels gemmed with heaven's dew, 

4 
Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
With wealth of flossy waving hair, 
Sun-kissed with golden tints so rare. 

5 
Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
With tempting lips so rosy red: — ■ 
Kisses leap from their coral bed. 



i'fe 






01 



'h^ 





PERSONAL POEMS. 



Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
With chiseled features, pure and fine 
As those of goddesses divine. 



Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
Oer the wide, wide waters blue 
Will you sail with your lover true? 

8 
Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
Let me hear your voice so kind; 
Oh, speak the word will ease my mind. 



y5x 



1k 



% 

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Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 

I hear the patter of your feet 

That brings you near; my love, my sweet. 

10 

Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
With pretty tapering hand so small, 
And dimpled like a honey ball. 

Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
With perfect figure formed so fine; 
The hand of Love curved every line. 



V. 






PERSONAL POEMS. 



^ 



Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
Whose crowning beauty — thy sweet face, 
Looks out a blessing and a grace. 



13 



Pi-etty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
"With peachy bloom of cheek so rare, 
Each god has penciled colors there. 



14 



Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
With arching brow so pure and white, 
Radiant like a throne of light. 



15 



Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 

Whose loving heart through eyes so true. 

Has conquered mine^ that yields to 5'ou. 



16 



Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
Bend on me now thy beauteous eye, 
That all the gems of earth outvie. 



17 



Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
Thy virtue is thy brightest gem, 
It dropped from Heaven's diadem. 



t^ 



^^ 



T 



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144 



PERSONAL POEMS. 






Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
Thy own sweet self is thy best dower, 
Outshining gifts of wealth or power. 

19 
Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 

Thy beauty is surpassing fair: 

The angels left their impress there. 

20 
Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
Say that you will marry me? 
'Tis Heaven by thy side to be. 



fe 



Pretty Maiden! Pretty Maiden! 
God so sweetly molded thee 
To mate the rover of the sea! 



& 






V 




PERSONAL POEMS. 






EVERY THING I LOVE. 



t. 



I love my God the first of all, — ■ 

Creator of this Earthly ball; 

I love the Christ, his only son, 

Whose matchless deeds all hearts have w^on. 



I love the human face refined, 

The noble traits of heart and mind; 

I love to hear the human voice, 

Whose sweet tones make my heart rejoice. 






I love to feel the friendly grasp 

Of manly men, their hands to clasp; 

I love to see a maiden's face. 

So fresh and pure, and full of grace. 

4 
I love to see the virgin blush 
From heart to cheek unhindered rush; 
I love to see an eye of blue 
With love hid in its azure dew. 




146 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



rr.^ 



f 



I love the Music's dying roll, 
That holds the pathos of a Soul, 
I love a bold and martial strain, 
That points Uo to the field again. 

6 
I love the painter's art divine, 
And long with storied names to shine; 
I love the sculptor's shaping skill, 
And gaze transfixed, and mute and still. 



:%. 



^ 






I love the poet's mystic fires. 
His burning strophe, that heaven inspires; 
I love the towering piles so grand. 
Whose shapely forms bedeck the land. 

8 
I love to hear the hum of toil, 
On street, in shop, or o'er the soil; 
I love to see men strive to rise 
From poverty to comfort wise. 

9 
I love philosophy, wisdom, lore; 
To read of cities now no more; 
To muse o'er great names of the past, 
How lived they, how they died at last. 



\^. 



PERSONAL POEMSi 



147 



'^ 



P 






I love wit, humor, caricature^ 

The theater, opera, judicature; 

I love to praise the healing art 

That soothes the suffering patient's smart. 

II 
I love my father's memory dear, 
And mother pure, whose life is sear; 
I love those good and kind to me, 
Humble or grand, — 'tis one to me. 



...? 



-6J 



I love with more than love, my boy, 
Whose tresses are a radiant joy; 
I love his happy, beaming smiles. 
His archness, and his playful wiles, 

13 
I love his little, pattering feet. 
His rose-bud lip, his face so sweet; 
I love to hear his childish voice. 
Whose laughter doth my soul rejoice. 

I love with warmth dramatic art. 
Its eloquence oft melts my heart; 
I love oratory's cadenced roll, — 
Its intonations move my soul. 



148 



PERSONAL POEMS. 

15 
I love all Nature, — beauteous, grand; 
Its cloud-capped mounts like Jove's do stand. 
I love the cascade, dashing down 
From cliff to cliff, with rainbow crown. 

16 
I love the stars, bright eyes of heaven; 
The sunset bathed in glorious even; 
I love the wave's chameleon play, 
Tossing foam-kisses into spray. 

17 
I love the dreamland of the soul, 
Though haunted by a spirit-ghoul; 
I love the mystery of God's world, 
And lose myself in shadows furled. 

18 
I love beauty with love divine, 
Its curves around my heart entwine; 
I love the ideal, — soul of heaven, 
And long to see the dark veil riven. 

19 
I love a tress, dark, gold, or gray. 

On beauty's brow, young, old, or gay; 

I love to walk the crowded street, 

To closely scan each face I meet. 






.^ 



;ff 






PERSONAL POEMS. 

20 

I love the mountain, plain, and sea, 

And wish a rover I could be; 

I love the famous spots of earth, 

Of poet's, warrior's, statesman's birth. 



I love the glowing thought to read 
Of master mind, and greedy feed; 
I love each proof of toil or skill, 
Each test of patience or of will. 

22 

I love my soul's love — Liberty! 
To dwell in land forever free. 
With law and equal right to all, 
Injustice never can enthral. 

23 
I love a pocket, filled with money. 
Land flowing, too, with milk and honey; 
And, last of all, I love myself, 
In constant action, not on shelf. 




'7 



f 
^ 



— ^sS-s€^^-Bs^— 




I50 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



TO CECILIA. 



Let heaven offer me its choicest bliss, 
I'd barter it for but one floating kiss 
That hangs like nectar over lips so sweet 
Elysium's self would yield the palm to greet, 

2 

Creation's diamond glittering to my eye, 
One glance of thine exceeds its brilliant dye; 
The fiery sun, with all his reddened glow, 
Grows pale beside thy fair cheeks' crimson snow. 

3 
The liquid fire of thine eyes on me burns, 

Like rays of rapture from their starry urns; 

The sparkling orbs are bathed in lustrous light, — 

Like spirits of the blest adorn the night. 



O, more than rapture do I thrilling feel 
When thy sweet tones upon my senses steal; 
A charm in every cadence, soft and sweet. 
The passers stop in wonder thee to greet. 






PERSONAL POEMS. 



151 



A glory floats upon thy radiant brow, 
Where sunlit curls in golden beauty flow, 
And heaven's azure opens brightly wide 
To halo sight's most luminous, brilliant tide. 

6 
If gods were not a dream, Juno might rise 
And steal thy glorious form, of stately size. 
Worthy to deck Jove's ancient, starry throne; — 
In thee he'd find a queen above his own. 




FNirj.-.i3i,J"**=>i*a«i^ 






,,,152 PERSONAL POEMS. 



A MOTHER'S ADVICE TO HER SON j 
ON ENTERING THE WORLD. 



Remember, first of all, e'er to be neat, — ''- ' - 

-jft A trim attire will always please the eye; 
. And next politeness, with its manner sweet, V.CI 

Conquers true friends, who're useful by-and-by. I '' 

2 

With honor absent, manhood true is none; 

Your plighted word be sure you'll never break; 
i In all your dealings, keep this rule alone, — jl i 

That, come what will, the truth you'll not forsake. ' 

3 
Be firm! It helps so much the forming mind. 
N^ Stability 's an aid to true success. 
You can be pliant, if you're so inclined, 
When principle unites with good address. 

4 
Profession of religion gives you station 

Among the sober, Christian, social world; 
No hypocrite be, e'en to rule a nation. 

Earned fair, you cannot from your post be hurled. 



PERSONAL POEMS, 

5 
A tattler and a gossip never be! 

Nor act in any case the part of sneak; 
Frank manners, noble generosity, 

E'er make a man the best will always seek. 



153 



P 



H 



Let charity in all things be your guide; 

Let mercy e'er control you with your brother. 
Frailty with Purity 's oft side by side; — 

Our duty is always to help each other. 






fi 

t^ 

^ 



A tyrant never be, nor act unjust; 

Fair be your dealings, with a moderate gain; i> 
In God and your own energy e'er trust; 

Then can you safely climb the heights of fame, t" 

8 
Avoid intoxicants, like pestilence! — 

They're quicksands that bemire all success. 
A yawning gulf — no rescue ever thence; 

Where life's true pleasures never more can bless.' 



My son, there's something still beyond success, 
That bears the stamp of God's own holy seal: — 

It is good Name, the best wealth to possess, — 
The wealth that wears through every woe or weal. 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



SLEEPING RUSTIC BEAUTY. 



. \ " 



t^ 



y^ 



r^ 






In shady bowers 
She soft doth sleep, 

While bright-eyed flowers 
Watch o'er her keep. 

2 

Gold ringlets twine 

Around her head, 
Clustering incline 

Adown her bed; 

3 
Like softest floss 

There thickly laid, 
The light winds toss 

Each silken braid. 






Leaf-coverlids, 

Bright emerald crowned, 
Fanned by soft winds 

That breathe around. 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



155 



Like Psyche fair, 
A human rose, 

Reclining there 
In still repose; 






, With crimson cheek 
Lightly sun-dyed, 

And face so meek 
And purified; 






A form of grace, — 
Venus asleep, — 

A matchless face, 

Where dimples creep; 

8 
Half-open mouth 

Revealing pearls; 
Winds from the South 

Woo sunlit curls. 



On her ripe lip, — 
Love's truest arch,— 

Bees honey sip 
As by they march. 



I'-iv <"' 



■ 56 



■| 



PERSONAL POEMS. 

10 
Maiden, sleep on; 

Nature loves thee; 
Thy youth has won 

Her soft heart free. • 






^. 






U: 



\ ) 



■(■ 

§ 



Love-birds drink in 
Thy honeyed breath; 

Thy charms would win 
Even grim Death. 

12 
Nigh angels hover, 

Smiling on thee; 
Their wings cover 

Thy purity. 

13 
Awake at last; — 

How time has flown! 
Come, break thy fast, 

The sun goes down. 

14 
Ne'er did I see 

A sweeter face, 
O' look on me 

With thy sweet grace. 



^'. 



1 



f. 



:> 



PERSONAL POEMS. 

15 
My soul upstarts 

In glowing wonder; 
Such beauty parts 

My heart asunder. 

16 
The twilight beam 

Gilds thy sweet form; 
In beauty's gleam 

Bathes thee so warm. 






v:«y! < 



9 



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M 






17 
O, star of love 

Bequeathed to earth! 
Fair, fluttering dove 

Of human birth! 

iS 
Be my true soul, — 

My own heart's gem,- 
Of angel's mould, — 

Mv diadem! 



— ?^a-e<5^^-e^^— 



(4 



% 158 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



BEAUTY. 



Beauty has a winsome soul 

To melt us into love; 
Formed of God's most precious mould, 

Descended from above. 



B. 



% 







' '""^^^^^J^^^l^^i^ 




PERSONAL POEMS. 



KITTY. 



159 






p 



O, do you know our Kitty? — 
Always so gay and witty; 
With smile so arch for all, 
And heart like rubber ball! 



'•M 



With light skip for a walk, 
Tongue wagging constant talk. 
Eyes keen and bright as stars, 
And spirit bold as Mars. 



%. 



She's gentle in fair weather, 
With soul light as a feather; 
When angry, quick drops fall, — 
Sun-shower; — and that is all. 



-^.\ 



Her love 's a warm sunbeam, 
Which melts her eyes' dark gleam; 
Her friendship's firm and true. 
Beware! She'll entrap you! 




i6o 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



MY EAGLE SPIRIT NEVER YET 
STOOPED TO MAN. 



CI) 



My Eagle spirit ne'er yet bent to man, 

Nor e'er by fawning tempted his good-will. 

I'd rather live forever under ban, 

And in my honor's soul be monarch still. 

2 

Joys fill the lonely chambers of the mind, 

No flower-covered, perfumed bowers can give. 

On towering steeps, apart from human kind 
Is Freedom, where but prouder souls can live. 

3 
Let sneaks crawl into favor by their slime; 

Let parasites still cling to greatness known; 
To genius God offers feasts sublime: 

The soul can claim the universe its own. 



.^^ 






/ 



There is a grandeur in the self-poised will 
To struggle on or fail in the attempt. 

Time has no dart that ever yet did kill 

The soul that from dependence is Exempt. 






nna g^^ ^- 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



I6l 



Let sinuous natures seek their destined end, 
And lick the Earth witli servile, grovelling lips. 

My spirit mounts, to higher goal doth wend, 
Till Fancy heaven's ambrosial nectar sips 



When Thought is King, 'tis life's eternal dower; — ■ 
Free or imprisoned 'tis a monarch still. 

It laughs at chains, and scorns the tyrant's power, 
It dwells supreme above man's sordid will. 



"<^^ 



Thus Eagle-like, I soar to realms of space, 

And spread my wings in Fancy's regions wide, 

There gain an Empire, be its King apace, 
While baser mortals in the gutters bide. 



/ 



; 





!--^«®-^?^ 



162 



PERSONAL rOEMS. 



STANLEY. 



On, Stanly^ on! The goal is won! 
All hail! Columbia's dauntless son! 
Forevermore thy name shall blaze 
On history's page, for men to gaze. 



'v- \\ 



Science opens richer stores 

On Afric's new discovered shores; 

A wealth of new-born commerce springs 

From thy success. To thee it brings 



Success and fame to crown at last 
All thy toil and danger past; 
Laurel wreaths will grace thy brow. 
Explorer, victor; — triumph now! 



All doubting, carping, cavil cease. 
From them thou hast won thy release. 
The world will doff its cap to thee, 
Discoverer of an inland sea. 



^ .. 



ERSONAL POEMS. 



163 



With axe, and rifle, and canoe, 
'Gainst mighty odds thou sailedst through. 
Thy cause ne'er stayed by jeering jibes 
Malaria, or savage tribes. 



Proua victor .n a hard fought fight 
The post of honor is thy right; 
Upon the list of daring* men 
Thy name 's inscribed by History's pen 






< ^ 



All honor to Columbian pluck! 
Nerve, courage, daring, gave thee luck. 
"Never give up!" thy banner's scroll! 
We'll sound thy praise from pole to pole. 






e^— ' 



**^k QS°@^y^°^«T^i 




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164 






/ t. 



PERSONAL POEMJ, 



CUPID. 



O' Cupid is a pretty boy, 
But shoots a wicked weapon-toy, 
Watching maidens' tender hearts, 
To transfix them with his darts. 

Look, lady! He is watching thee: 
Think not thou'rt in security. 
For unawares he'll pierce thy heart, 
And bleed thee with Love's cruel dart. 



XJ'- 









Ha! Fair one, who disdainst his power, 
Thou'rt not an icicle in Love's bower; 
He'll melt thee soon to fever heat, 
And with hot love thy heart will beat. 

4 
He's ever slily on the watch, 
Some careless beauty well to catch; 
With cunning craft he takes his aim, 
And quickly bags the pretty game. 




% 



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^^^ 7] 



iU. 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



'/ 



^^-: 



165 



We all pretend to slight his claim, 
Till each one feels his deadly aim; 
Then in sighs and tears we weep, 
And own his sway with wound so deep. 



Sometimes he only lightly shoots, 
Just touches the heart's tender roots, 
Careless tickling tendrils fair, 
To find If they have feeling there. 



I> 



vx> 



Again, he wounds with deeper power, 
That heals not e'en in death's dark hour, 
A lifelong sorrow proves his aim, 
And ne'er the heart heals of its maim. 




He often shoots in loving mood, 
With aim so gentle, smile so good; 
It proves an everlasting joy, 
A soft delight, with him to toy. 

9 
Then never slight his ardent love,— 

In ire a wolf, in peace a dove; 

None, howe'er callous, but he can smart, 

If he but wills to reach the heart. 



^k 




PERSONAL POEMS. 



THE HOD-CARRIER. 



P 






On his shoulder he carries the hod, 

As bold a man as ever trod; 

Up the steep ladder, all day long, 

He toils, and whiles the time with song. 

2 

How firm and sure is his steady tread, — 
A dangerous way to earn his bread! 
A single misstep would cost him dear, 
Yet he climbs along, without a fear. 

3 
His wage is small for such risky trade. 
He plods along, though no fortune's made. 
Up the ladder he picks his way. 
With muscle strong and with spirit gay 



I 



A lowly calling, yet needing nerve. 
A weaker man would never serve, 
Would fall from roof-top to the ground, 
And crushed to death would soon be found. 



y 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



THE MISTRESS. 



'^. 


Lit 


Love 




Lit 


Love 


¥ 


Lit 


Love 


Lit 


Love 




Lit 


Love 




Lit 


Love 




Lit 


Love 


1^ 


Lit 


Love 


M 


Lit 


Love 


H 


Lit 


Love 




Lit 


Love 




Lit 


Love 




Lit 


Love 




Lit 


Love 




Lit 


Love 



was glancing from her eye; 
was smiling on her lip; 
was nestling on her chin; 
was blushing on her cheek; 
was arching on her brow; 
was floating thro' her hair; 
was waving o'er her breasts; 
was dreaming o'er her face; 
was echoing in her tongue; 
was wandering in her walk; 
was drinking from her breath; 
was sleeping in her soul; 
was pillowing on her heart; 
was thinking in her mind; 
was — everywhere around her. 




i68 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



THE LITTLE CHURCH AROUND 
THE CORNER. 



^There are conquering heroes crowned from war, 
ii^ Heroes, too, 'neath Juggernaut's car; 
H There are saints who breast the raging flame, 
b^. Yielding life for their Deity's name. 



y 



[There are quieter heroes still in life, 
[Fighting prejudice in noiseless strife; 
tThese are noble men, who dare do rieht, 
> Spite church conceit or fanatic might. 



All hail! Thou dost thy brother recognize. 



^^ In actor's doublet. In thee we prize 
rue son of Jesus! Samaritan! 



iaithful Christian and a manly man! 





PERSONAL POEMS. 



169 



DELIA. 



-t) 



Oh Delia is passing fair, 

With motion graceful, light as air. 

Beware her captivating art. 

Her eye is Cupid's favorite dart. 

Her manner, look and smile so winning 

Would set an anchorite to sinning. 

Her cherry lips were made to kiss, 

Her blitheful heart was made for bliss. 

Her cheeks are like the ripest roses, 

In their dimples Cupid poses. 

Oh, but she is so bewitching, 

She sets your very heart to itching! 

So tantalizing, when you meet 

You throw yourself prone at her feet, 

And vow yourself her willing slave. 

Since she alone your peace can save. 

She is so full of roguish grace. 

Nothing she does is out of place. 

Sure, Nature in her sweetest mood 

Bestowed such charms — a perfect brood 



f 



•^' 



/! 



f 






170 



•^^^•^s^'^^^^'^ 



PERSONAL POEMS. 

\^_ Of rare perfections; eloquence 

ij/l Of face and eyes and form and sense. 

So many traits were ne'er combined 
To please and fascinate the mind. 



w 







% 



& 










PERSONAL POEMS. 



171 



ROSA. 



How can I forget thee, 
With thy soft eye of blue? 
Thy spirit gentle, true. 
Has strangely bewitched me. 



^S 



^?: 



I': 



%; 



Thy light tones linger still. 
And glances of thine eye; — 
O, would that thou wert nigli, 
Or I were at thy sill. 



Thou art the rarest gem 
That ever decked a lover; 
For thee, no more a rover, 
I'll wreathe a diadem. 



--^ 



/T" 






i^ 



-,N'>^^^ 



■rifl 




172 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



OUR BOY. 



.4: 



Thou little tyrant, who makes each stand around, 
Yet loving, too, and gentle as a fawn; 

Thou'rt always on the move, with a skip and a bound, 
Never at rest, in house or on lawn. 

2 

Full of artless witchery and playful, cunning wiles, 
Mischief e'er lurks in thy brown, lucid eyes; 

Thy fair young face is ever full of frankest smiles, 
And purest innocence upon it lies. 



iV 



V, 



Thy lovely sunlit hair waves free in sportive curls. 
Over a brow as beautiful as fair; [whirls. 

The wind doth toss them like gold banners in its 
Leaving a lingering trace of glory there. 



Thy romping, playful spirit overflows with glee; 
Vf' Thou hast withal a quick and fiery soul; 
And yet a loving sweetness hovers over thee, 
Thy winning ways attract both young and old. 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



How thou dost dance and tear when in thy tantrums 
Thy little form then trembles with its fire. [wild;y 

And when thy puny storm its turbid rave hath run,^ 
Forgetest all thy passion and its ire. 



^ A dreamy wonder lurks within thy far off look, 
Ideal of beauty, germ of pond'rous thought; 
Thy chiseled features are like to an open book, 
Revealing every impulse, free, untaught. 




Thy clear-cut mouth, gentle and sweet, yet so stern 
Denotes a loving soul with will like steel; 

So apt and quick art thou, too, everything to learn; 
A happy spirit all thy acts reveal. 



What strange, odd questions does thy little tongue } 
oft ask f*i 

About the sky, and wind, and cloud, and star! i^Tj^J 
Thou little knowest the puzzling, almost hopelesss 
task 
T' explain to minds as young as children's are. 



174 



% 



PERSONAL rOEMS. 
9 



:.tv 



/^l Thought's noble ensign floats upon thy features U 
/a clear, 

N^; And beauty's flag its folds wave o'er thy form; 
High-mettled spirit all thy wayward movements^ 
steer, 



M 



\iff,i Thy sportive play is like a sunny morn. 









If 







O'' 



i 



%. 



m 



^"-te* 



PERSONAL P.OEMS. 1/5 



W- TO CLARA. 



I 

Eyes soft and gentle as a fawn; 
Hair golden as a summer dawn; 
Skin fair as fairest ocean shell; 
And voice like music of a bell. 



-i' 2 

v^ O, beauteous rose of heavenly bloom, 

Thy purity's thy rich perfume; 
The downy blush lies nestling there; 
As if it couchred a goddess fair. 



Thy voice in Love's own echoes meet; 
Thy thoughts flow forth in music sweet; 
And when a smile lights up thy face, 
An angel might envy its grace. 







176 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



MARY ANDERSON. 



(an acrostic.) 



% 



Majestic in height, with a carriage to mate; 
An actress impassioned, and brilliant, and great. Vi/ 
Renowned as Parthenia, Evadne and Meg: ^: 

You charm us, and move us your presence to beg. 



A newer light glows in your beautiful eyes: — : 

Now blazing with passion, now softened with sighs.f ', 
Down deep in the heart, with a pathos extreme, 
Each hearer believes you the being you seem ! [heard;/ 
Right royal your sway, from the moment you're 
So magnetic your voice, like an eloquent bird. 
Our Drama salutes you, so noble of mien! 
Nor hastens to crown you as aught but its queen 



(A; 



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Blue gleams her eyes' soft liquid light, 
Whence shines her soul, clear, pure and bright. 
A light laugh parts her rosy lips, 
Disclosing rows of pearly tips. 

2 

Her hair of gold floats down a neck 
Whose graceful curves each wave doth deck, 
Her sloping shoulder thence inclines. 
Conformed to beauty's lovely lines. 

3 

Her head is poised so perfectly 
No other can its equal be; 
Her brow like chiseled marble seems 
Whereon the light of culture gleams. 

4 
Her face in beauty's very mould 
Was cast; its look nor warm nor cold 
Too much e'er seems; while equal blend 
The rose and lily without end. 





178 PERSONAL POEMS. 

t, 5 

Her deep-red lips, so full yet small, 

Like scented flowers invite us all 

To woo her; thereon kisses weave 

Would tempt the gods their heights to leave. 






<j' 



-\-- 

<.-.^.'l 



Her chin is softly dimpled; not 
Too round or pointed, and a spot 
Is gently cleft and curved above, 
Indentured by the hand of Love. 

7 
Her tapering, tall, elastic form, 
Full-bosomed, trim, whose curves so warm 
In friendly rivalry, do meet 
In perfect lines from head to feet, 

8 
In undulating swells combine 
The graces of the four divine, — 
Venus, Juno, Psyche, Minerva, — 
Whose every charm is seen to serve her. 






I 






a.^ 



Model for parlor or the street 
Whose manner, motion, all are sweet 
And perfect to the common kind 
As to the one of lofty mind. 



f. 



\',^ 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



179 



■^■.V' 



The gods their matchless mould did break 
When forming her. The whitest flake 
Of spotless snow is not more pure 
Than her pure mind; nor aught is truer 



¥ >'■ 



Than her true soul, whose softness draws 
All hearts to her, and gives a pause 
To thoughts impure, which cannot bide 
Before her, but in shame must hide. 



if 



,<- 




^— «»-®^J^<^ 



^:^2>^;; 



i8o 




i-^i^ 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



FORGET THEE. 



Forget thee? Yes, when dews forget the night, 
Or Sun forgets to give to day its light. 
When oceans cease to beat upon the shore. 
Or flowers from earth in beauty spring no more. 




Forget thee? Yes, when pulses cease to thrill; 

When Christians bow no more to God's high will; % 

When life forgets to yield its sway to death, i 

When hearts are still, and there is no more breathJ.j*-. 

\^ 

3 

Forget thee? Oh, what else is worth to me? 

Is not the treasured past haloed with thee? 

Time ne'er can tear thine image from my soul. 

Nor lose my heart from thy sweet thought's control. , ' 

i "> 

The stars may e'en forget to light the sky. 

Or death within the dreaded grave to lie; 

The glory of the Earth may fade away, o, 

Yet in my soul will shine — a lovely ray! ^' "\ 



i 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



I8l 



Forget thee? Sooner vanish memory's name; 
Oblivion all the universe may claim; 
Still in my breast the thought of thee shall live, 
And hallowed rest to every throb shall give. 



M 



The fountain of thy love 's aspringfrom heaven, — • 

An oasis in every desert given. 

Forget thee? I should banish Paradise! 

For me no more the glowing sun would rise! 



t>^ 



Forget thee! My religion thou'rt to me; 
I worship all that's beautiful, in thee! 
O, holy shrine of purity, I kneel 
In reverence before thy love's appeal! 

8 

Forget thee! Be all else forgot but thee. 
'/■'■\ The thought of thee 's my creed, my destiny. 
' ' With thy loved face Creation's temples rise, 

And lift my spirit to the sun-lit skies. 

9 
,'. Forget thee! Every living fibre thrills 

• ■ At thy dear name; and all my being fills 
~. With sweet delights from the elysian past", 

When thou wert near me; — joys that e'er will last 






\ 



I«2 



PERSONAL POEMS. 



Forget thee! Ah! when all the world forgets 
To think, to love, to live; and daylight sets 
To dark oblivion! — when all things of Time 
Are gone, — the thought of thee shall fill my rhyme. 

II 

Forget thee! Yes, when Heaven forgets its God, 
And Nature bends no more unto His nod. 
When stars sublime in Conflagration burn, 
And all that is lies in Creation's urn. 






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M 



1: 








■^5S^" 



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ii 



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PATHETIC POEMS 



P,<^)t^SW 




V 




•:' 



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o 



c 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



1S7 



IRISH EMIGRANT'S FAREWELL g 
TO HIS LOVE. <f 



K, Farewell I My fond heart bleeds to leave th> 
To leave thee here, while I roam o'er the se 
Let not our parting too much grieve thee; 
If Fortune smiles, we shall together be. 

■y When nights are long, my jewel, Kathleen, 

Think of thy Patrick^ who will think of thee. 
Think of the happiness that hath been. 

And that the future stores for thee and me. 



My thoughts will turn to that old cabin 

Where dwelt my fathers through a life serene; 

Close by the hut of pretty Kathleen — 

Kathleen, my love, my heart's own darling queen. 



These tears I leave as j-eweled token 

From my sad soul at leaving thee behind; 

All my heart holds I leave unspoken 
Till in my arms thy form again I bind. 



1 88 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



Kathleen, one kiss to seal our parting. 

Though absent, love, I know thou'lt pray for me. 
In that great land for which I'm starting, 

Our Irish hearts shall beat in liberty. 










•v, 



^-^ 



^yi 



:;. 



€>V:^' 









PATHETIC POEMS. 



189 



BLIND. 






Look, how he leans against the post, 
A giant, — once withstood a host! 
That vacant look upon his face 
Proclaims him blind. Sad is his case! 



K^ 

'•^) 
K^ 
"■r: 



He patient stands, almost as dead, 
Day after day he begs for bread. 
His breast the legend bears, "I'm blind!' 
He cannot work; to him be kind. 

3 
He speaks not, seems of voice bewrung; 
His sightless eyes have each a tongue. 
O, pity strength thus broken down; 
Give charity; withhold your frown. 

4 
By tone of voice, the very tread 
He tells the mean from the well bred. 
He stands a statue, all day long, 
No heart for speech, or jest, or song. 



Y- 
(^^! 

'^f: 



190 



PATHETIC POEMS, 






He who was once lusty and strong, 
An infant now can whirl along. 
He who once dared the world to hurl, 
Is now the butt of every churl. 

6 , 

With dignity he bears his loss; 
No fret nor fume his white lips toss. 
Humbly submissive to God's will 
Patient his sad fate to fulfil. 






m 

h 



Remember him when by you pass, 
Aid him while life remains. Alas! 
He can no longer see the sun; 
'Tis night while'er life's sands do run. 



-) 



Flowers have no beauty for his eyes; 
For him in vain are Nature's dyes; 
No human face he longer sees; 
He only feels the sun and breeze. 



% 



Creation is an awful blank; 
Darkness into his soul has sank; 
His face reveals the loss within; 
He can but listen to life's din. 



y 



PATHETIC TOEMS. 



to 



How lone he stands upon the street, 
Sightless, he hears the passing feet. 
Counts wearily the beats of time, 
Till God calls him to realms sublime. 










M 



': 192 



PATHETIC rOEMS. 



m 



WHEN I SAW HER LAST. 



f 



C5S 



-V. 



^ 






When I saw her features last, 
Her eyes were weeping and downcast; 
The light of love had fled her face, 
Instead was now enstamped disgrace. 

2 
Now shame and sorrow o'er her pour 
Their bitter waters evermore; 
She walks the street a nameless thing, — 
Loveless, bereft of everything. 

3 
A gilded mockery of the hour, 
The waiting Fates around her lour, — 
A breathing ruin on the street, 
Shunning the former friends who greet. 

4 
A shrinking mark for public scorn, 
Fallen, abject, unloved, forlorn, 
Death only can wash out the stain 
Or ever make her pure again. 



w 



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©►> 






PATHETIC POEMS. 



193 i# ■ 



I THE HAUNTED ASSASSIN. 



WA 



>^ 



Down! bloody knife! O, down! 
Why does thy red face frown? 
Why slash thus in the air, 
As o'er a throat laid bare? 



See, the red blood-drops fall, 
Trickling adown the wall! 
Ha! How they follow me, 
Like a dark gory sea! 

3 
Look there! The pillows white 
Are blood-stained to my sight. 
Over the sheets of snow 
There is a crimson flow. 



Over the naked floor 
The ebbing life-tides pour. 
God! Must I ever rest 
In a blood-spattered nest? 






PATHETIC POEMS. 

5 
Above me Death-heads loom; 
Gashes their brows illume; 
Gaunt spectres round them crowd; 
Each wears a crimson shroud. 

6 
Groans die upon my ear. — 
"Murder" O, sound so drear! 
Hark! From the unknown world: 
"Ne'er be thy red flag furled!" 




Daylight's a reddened glare; 
The night's a crimson stare; 
All blood-red to mine eye! 
Earth, water, air and sky! 

8 
Leaves, flowers, have all one hue, 
The red tide filters through. 
My soul is steeped in blood! 
Capped with a scarlet hood! 

9 
The earth is crimson lined, 
With blood incarnadined. 
The birds have crimson wings; 
Each fish a red scale flings. 



V; 




PATHETIC POEMS. 



195 



E'en as I walk the street 
Each object that I meet 
Floats in a crimson flood! 
God! Life's a sea of blood! 






Each sound I hear 's a groan 
The winds sigh out a moan; 
Red murder flaunts mine eye. 
Hell rolls its blood-red dye! 






3 



V 



E'en books seem dipped in blood; 
The ink 's a crimson flood. 
Thought leaps a reddened tide. 
From blood where shall I hide? 



13 



Red spectres haunt my dream, 
And blood-red visions gleam! 
Music has murder's moan, 
And life's a dying groan! 



14 



I try to write a thought, — 
My pen's with murder fraught! 
Words drip blood from my lip; 
Each drop is red I sip. 






A j^ 



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I 



196 






PATHETIC POEMS, 

Red horrors round me glide, 
With wounds in throat and side! 
Shrieks fill my aching ear, 
And thrill my soul with fear! 

16 
No rest by day or night. 
Blood blinds my very sight! 
My lips are steeped in gore! 
No peace! No! Nevermore! 



% 




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f. 



■k 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



197 



THE LAST MAN. 



S.^ 



The mountain peaks had crumbled into hills: 
The ocean had subsided into rills; 
The hard and sterile rocks were soft with time: 
And massive trees no longer knew a clime. 

2 
The last man stood and gazed around afar; 
All dim and aged gleamed each distant star; 
The sun gave but a flickering, feeble light, 
Like the faint, fading beams of soft twilight. 

3 
The moon looked as a weak illumined haze, 
Or like the sun when mist enveils his rays; 
All things were covered with a musty mould, 
As of long ages passed since they were old. 

4 
He stood half-bent, reflecting, all alone, 
On the strange feeling that o'er him had grown; 
The lordly lion moved lamb-like and bland; 
The world of savage beasts could barely stand. 




198 



PATHETIC rOEMS. 



A blow could shatter e'en the tallest tree; 
A touch would set a towering mountain free; 
The waters too, so slowly moved along, 
No more the streamlet rippled into song. 

6 
The last man held his withered hand on high. 
Stretched to the pale and leaden-colored sky: 
"I am the last! — Alas! — the only man! 
I've counted ages back, — a fearful span! 

7 
"Millions of souls ere me have gone before! 
Must I remain alone, nor ever more 
See peopled this wide, solitary waste! 
All things are withered — lifeless to the taste!" 



<^. 



f 



The wreck and ruin lay in piles around; 
The earth was white with bones heaped up in mound ; 
The very air breathed smells of long decay. 
Creation's self had mouldered slow away. 



4 



The life in Nature now pulsated slow; 
The very breeze lacked energy to blow; 
The glory of the world had seemed to pass, — 
ts strength and beauty lay an inert mass. 



t 



•^v? 



PATHETIC POEMS. 

lo 
How sad this awful, dreary solitude! 
The birds possess no more the singing mood; 
Too feeble, too, have they all grown to fly; 
Now on the naked earth in heaps they lie. 

II 

All work of man had crumbled into dust, 
The scythe of Time himself was clothed with rust. 
The air was heavy, darkening fast amain, \^^ 

Nature to second childhood turned again. 




r^ 



The leaves and flowers all wear a sickly hue, 
Like last of Autumn passing from the view. 
All things the odor breathe of sure decay, 
Soon o'er them will, be written "Passed away!' 



13 



The last man shuddered at the crumbling goa 
But voices stirred the depths of his faint soul: 
"A resurrection springs from this decay! 
"The Immortal Soul shall never pass away!" 



"^sa-s^^B-es^— 



li. 




|W{ 200 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



a/! 



THE FIREMAN. 



:i 






Ring! ring! ring! O, firebells ring! 
Hark, how the flames do hiss and sing! 
Roaring, leaping in the air 
Hurling cinders everywhere. 

2 

The engines fly at tearing speed 
To where the fiery demons feed; 
Straining his nerve to reach the place, 
Each fireman strives to win the race. 



J^.' 



Place the ladder against the wall; 
Brave rescuer! Look you do not fall! 
See, raging flames enwrap him round. 
'Tis death if he fall to the ground. 



All scarred and scorched he points the pipe, 
At awful risk of his own life; "■ 

Intent the fire-fiend to subdue, 
Hears not the people's loud halloo! 




if' 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



5 



20I 



"Come down!" 'Tis certain death to stand 
On tottering wall, with pipe in hand! 
Comedown! Look there! "Tis safe no more!" 
Yet still the waters round him pour. 



y/^ "Come down!" Alas, it is too late! 

^% Heroic courage meets its fate, 

' i-, Hurled headlong with the tottering wall 

He lies, all mangled with its fall. 



/, 



Drape deep your engines all in black; 
No flowers, respect, nor honor lack. 
Though rash, he met a hero's death! 
For other's lives he gave his breath. 



,^.' 






202 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



LAMENT OF THE FORSAKEN. ? 



The full orb of thy beauty shone upon me, 

And I reeled drunken with its glory. But 'tis set T^ 

In darkness, and thy light is gone forever. i" ■ 

O, never more for me will thy smile brighten 

The love within my soul, or thy voice waken 

The air with hallowed music as of yore. 

Lost to myself and thee, where shall I haven 
The shattered bark of life, since all its treasures 
And casket of bright jewels now are scattered? 

Toward night's gloomy future now I wander, ^/ 
Weary, alone, forsaken, no divine ray 
Falls on the soul's deep gulf to cheer its gloom; 
No kindly voice will e'er again rewaken 
The love that's lost within. O, why didst turn 
Thine eye upon me, maddening with its gleam? 
O, why didst thou e'er flatter me to win 
Life's dearest prize, a virgin soul to banish 
And desert? 










'^-f^^x**^ 




PATHETIC rOEMS. 

I Stand a ruin mid the crowd 
My household gods are shattered all around me 
O, whither shall my bruised heart turn for shelter 
Who can repair the shreds of tattered love? 
Restore the once fond hope, sweet reciprocity 
Of love? — Or blot the past, obliterate the joys 
Of first-awakened love and holy passion? 
Ah! who can banish the now fated recollectior 
Of thy but late loved form of manly beauty? 
Who now can throw forgetful pall of death 
On me, that I may rest within the grave? 

An outward mockery of life, with death within7'('> 
I stand a mere automaton, all helpless here, 
Soulless, alone! I wander listlessly 
The desert sands of life. No oasis to cheer 
The dreary pathway, and no voice of kindness 
E'er welcomes me again. Fate wraps its folds 
Around me; claims its victim and its slave. 

Farewell, farewell, forever and forever! 
Forsaken, still I will not thee upbraid. 
My latest breath shall shower blessings on thee 
Mayst thou be happy, joyous and content, 
Dwelling in wreathing smiles in happy home, 
With sweet endearments. Giveonelingeringthought ■, 
To her who gave thee all, and cast a tear ^ 



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204 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



Upon the waters that bear swift her scattered barque. 

To heaven send a prayer for her peace 
. ^In that eternal world of life immortal, 
pin thy bright hour of triumph think of me, 

Recall the past, that one regret may fill 

Thy heart for her whose love was life — was heaven! 






^>^^' 



^\ 




^, 



^> 




PATHETIC POEMS. 



205 



NEVERMORE. 



Nevermore! How dread the sound! 
Like echo from Death's awful mound. 
As though from Earth bright Hope had flown, 
And Sorrow claimed it for its own. 






Nevermore! Love's voice now still; — 
Fair Beauty's form, and God-like Will, 
High Intellect, and Manhood brave. 
All hidden deep within the grave. 



J 



'r 



Nevermore! Ne'er more enjoy 
The gambols of our darling boy; 
Nor feel again his sweet caress, 
Nor praise him in his jaunty dress. 



Nevermore! Great cities laid 
In the same dust their greatness made; 
The masters of the world no more: — 
Their ruins strew Earth's ancient shore. 



■I 



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<-^ 



^^^ ^-^'^^^^^^ 



206 



PATHETIC rOEMS. 



Nevermorel Like doom doth surge, 
Solemn and slow — a direful dirge — 
That word, uprising from the tomb, 
To blast our hopes, e'en in their womb! 



1 



Nevermore! Hearts rent in twain; 
And broken links in Friendship's chain; 
And vasted hours, e'er lost to Time; 
And ruined souls, submerged in crime! 

7 
Nevermore! From days now past 
The weary heart sees fading fast 
All joys it clung to, all desires: 
In vain it blows Hope's dying fires. 



-^^ 



n 






^ 



/'^ 



-) ■ 



Nevermore! Through starless nights 
Its icy breath the soul affrights: 
A hideous nightmare that e'er glares. — 
Through rosiest dreams steals unawares, 

9 
Nevermore! 'Twas Adam's doom; 
And Satan's, in infernal gloom; 
'Twas Cain's heart-cry o'er Abel's corse. 
When life for him held but remorse. 



<&->J' 



V-^^-'j 



PATHETIC rOEMS. 



207 



10 
Nevermore! O'er Earth and sky 
The doomed and lost despairing cry; 
And angels weep for those too late 
To enter in at Heaven's gate. 

II 
Nevermore! Twin Might-Have-Been: 
Lone orphans left on this sad scene, 
Filling the air, along Life's shore, 
With mournful plaint of "Nevermore!" 

12 
Nevermore! The atheist's dream!— 
Dull clay, that ne'er to Heaven's gleam 
Will rise from Earth! No soul, no power 
To life renew in Heaven's bower. 

13 
Nevermore! No Christian's shriek, 
But croakings from the vulture's beak; 
'Tis not Religion overthrown, — 
Its radiant light clothes all God's own. 

Tis not the soul's sad cry to God: 
Though life must sink beneath the sod, 
Our faith reanimates the heart. 
And robs of "Nevermore" its smart. 



1^ 






■,si^^ 



208 



PATHETIC POEMS. 






15 



Nevermore! Mortality 
Is circled by that ghoul. But see, 
In yonder Heaven a brighter light: 
Tis Evermore that gilds the night. 



f 



£2^ 







PATHETIC POEMS. 



2Q^ 



n 



THE DYING DRUNKARD. 



Why does he crouch so low upon the ground? 
Why does he tremble at each rustling sound? 
Why is the death-dew's icy damp so near? 
Why ebbs his life away, thus lone and drear? 



f 






Why does the blood ooze over him so fast? 
Dying! His misery thus ends at last! 
See the white froth upon his pale, thin lip: — 
Never again will he the poison sip. 

3 
Where are his wife and children resting now? 
Has he no friend? Has he forgot his vow 
To cherish and defend his chosen love? 
In this doomed hour she would a saviour prove. 



\ 



Yet once he stood so noble and erect, 
And proudly bore himself with earth's elect; 
Once dauntless dared he all the world to meet, 
While now he skulks, abandoned, from the street. 



2IO 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



Ml 



His friends have driven him from the open door; 
His wife and children him receive no more; 
An abject wretch, he plods his narrowed way, 
Object of pity, — shame to light of day! 

6 
By all deserted, save alone his God! 
A ruined life of hell his soul hath trod. 
In bitter degradation sinks his fame, 
Leaving behind a blot upon his name. 






W) 

^ 




I- 



& 



>^-^>-?q^ 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



THE DUEL. 



211 



I / 

ye 



In a lonely clearing in a wood, 

There stand two men, in savage mood. 

Scowling darkly at each other; 

Each filled with hatred for his brother. 

2 

Why do they gaze so fixedly 
With eyes intent so wickedly^ — 
Waiting for the warning sound, 
As if their lives upon 't were bound." 



HarkI now 'tis given! one-two-three! 
Two shots in air whiz rapidly. 
One foe falls there, a lifeless corse, 
The other foe fills with remorse. 






In pride of youth one of them slain; 
The other now becomes a Cain. 
Each for punctilio broke the law 
Of God and man, for what?— a straw! 






212 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



Nor death nor life has washed the shame- 
For which they fought to blast their name. 
Burr gained not by Hamilton's death, 
Save obloquy — dishonor's breath. 

6 
If wronged by man^ appeal to Law; — 
Or is its voice not worth a straw? 
Shall men who vilely kill each other 
Go free? Can Cain still kill his brother? 

7 
Have laws become, then, a dead letter? 
Mockery of justice? — Crime abettor? 
Or is death grown so light a thing, 
Thus honored, 'stead with hempen string? 






"1. 



«„— ^^ 




•^mpjr^ 



^^•■"V.,;. 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



213 



MY SOUL IS SAD TO-NIGHT. 



T 



My weaned soul is sad to-night 
All dark within^ — no ray of light; 
While death's perfume breathes all around; 
And in the tomb of Hope I'm bound. 



f. 



H¥ 



A grave is opened in my heart, 
Its yawning ghosts around me start; 
All Life is robed in phantom guise, 
No joys of Hope before me rise. 

■3 
Night wraps me in its sable fold, 
Dreary and chill like death's damp mold. 
Each star of life has flickered out. 
No glimmer lights the place about. 

4 
A darkening spell is on my mind; 
Its smothering coils round me bind. 
Each breath I draw is from the bier, 
Tainted with death's miasma drear. 



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^^i^i 




-Jff^^' 



214 



PATHETIC POEMS* 



A MURDERER'S THOUGHTS. 



a 



My soul's in deepest hell to-night; 
The fiends around me snarl and bite; 
Their savage jaws all drip with blood, 
Surging o'er me a crimson flood. 



G- 



K< 



Dread spirits hasten from the bier, 
And taunt me with a mocking sneer; 
Gaunt furies, with their eyes ablaze, 
Approach and stare me with amaze, 

3 
Each devil holds a glass on high; 
The wine is blood unto my eye. 
'•Drink! drink!" they cry, in mocking glee; 
"Thy food to all eternity." 



They hold a knife within each hand. 
"Strike! strike! It is a murderer's brand! 
Nay, shrink not back in coward fear; 
It is thy trade!" And then they leer. 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



r 



^ 



215 



Each prison-stone appears a corse, 
That to my soul brings fell remofse; 
I fling myself into the dust. 
Dread punishment, but just, 'Tis just. 








1 



2l6 



PATHETIC POEiMS. 



THE MOURNER. 



She is dead! The bright, the beautiful is dead! 
?^ No more the light shines in her soft blue eyes- 
*, Alas! my sweet twin soul, she whom I v/ed, 
Death slyly steals her from me by surprise. 



But one short week ago she lived, she breathed, 

And now she lies e'en like a block of stone, 
With sweet love then our throbbing bosoms heaved, 
jL And now I am left desolate and lone. 

3 
Thy golden hair seems like the hue of death. 

Thy warm face has the paleness of the tomb; 
While death abides within thy frozen breath; 

A second time thou enterest nature's womb. 



V;--:' 



O, heaven! to think I'll never hear her speak, 
Or listen rapt to her soft music voice; 

Mysterious silence sits on lip and cheek; 
O, never, more can my poor heart rejoice. 



■>, 



r 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



217 



I feel a cnill within my inmost heart, 

The rest of life seems merged into a moan, 
J^; Creation's beauty fled when thou didst part, 
All Nature's music changed to dying groan. 



O, sweet! And never can I see thee more. 
And never feel thy kisses warm again? 

My bleeding heart can only sorrows pour 
Until in heaven I clasp thy form again. 



'^:^ 



K 



The sun to me now brings a funeral light. 

And all mankind seems shrouded like the dead; 
Nature's vast universe looks clothed in night 
i The very air moves with a corse-like tread. 

8 
Death-Spirits hover o'er the space around; 

My heavy heart beats with a muflfled pall; 
My soul doth dwell within that burial ground, 

Where 'neath the piling clods I lost my all. 

■- My God! My God! 'Tis Thou dost know alone 
?\ How dark and bitter now has grown my lot; 
Only in prayer, lain prostrate at thy throne. 
Have I found solace, or my love forgot. 




1/ 






fp 








PATHETIC POEMS. 

lO 

i/) Death! thou grim fiend! Thy fatal barbed arrow 
• ''^ Has shot at last a fair and shining mark 
For never will the sun rise on the morrow 

O'er one so pure, so blessed with heaven's spark. 









PATHETIC POEMS. ^^9\// 

THE WARRIOR TO HIS DYING 
STEED. 



There is no spirit land for thee, 
My mettled steed so proud and free! 
Thy constant love and faith to me 
Deserves a Heaven, if such could be. 




The fatal ball struck thee at last, 
No more wilt thou charge furious and fast, 
With dashing hoofs into the foe, 
Confusion in his ranks to throw! 

3 
Proudly hast thou borne me in fight, 
Thine eye ablaze with reddened light, 
All unsubdued, like battle-god. 
Hast o'er the prostrate foemen trod. 

4 
Where'er I drew my charger's rein, 
There fell the foe thick on the plain. 
Thy raven form, like demon dark. 
Flashed fire infernal from hoof-spark. 



^ 



i>9^^ 



■ rr 



2 20 PATHETIC POEMS. 

5 
My heart is pierced to see thee fall, 
Just in thy prime, wreathed crowned and all; 
Who ever metst me with a neigh, 
And bore me dauntless through the fray. 



Like a dark banner reared thy form, 
Amid the shot and battle-storm; 
Charging the foe like bolt of death, 
Each hoof-clash striking out a breath! 



if 



I e'er was foremost on thy back; 
The bugle spurred thee on thy track; 
A glory wreathed thy dashing stride. 
Like winofed Mars o'er wars red tide. 



My beautiful! Joy of my soul! 
No more thy motion I control! 
Thy neigh is still, thy form in death, 
Gone is thy play. No fire, no breath. 






Thou who so oft the red tide out ^ »■ 

Hast crushed, now pourst thine own about, 
Like royal banner o'er thy form, — 
Thou king of steeds in battle's storm. 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



221 



i 



How oft I've fed thee from this hand, 
Whilst thou so docily wouldst stand. 
Not as in war the peerless steed 
That outdid all in fire and speed. 

II 
Companion, friend of weary hours; 
We've trod together shady bowers; 
We've wandered by the silver stream, 
As playful as the sun's light beam. 

12 

Upon thy back I felt a host; 
That thou ne'er failed is no vain boast. 
Thy courage braced my wavering form. 
And bore me bravely through the storm. 

13 
My gallant steed! O, I could weep! 
No more wilt thou in battle sweep. 
No more we'll stem the rushing tide. 
Or dash both friend and foe aside. 

Thy bright eye was to me a star, 
That lit the way to fields of war. 
Thy glorious form enchained my heart. 
And can I — must I from thee part? 



"<^=^^y^ 



;■— ^'^ 




222 



"k 



PATHETIC POEMS. 



15 



When I entrust thee to the ground, 
No more to hear thy glad hoofs sound, 
Keen sense of loss bears down my soul, 
And griefs in billows o'er me roll. 






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^ SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 






V- 



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SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 22; 



I 



GOD. 



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Wonderful Mystery! 
Highest in Heaven, 
Alone in glory, 
Only All-Perfect, 
Only Unchangeable One! 
Immortal and Eternal, — 
Beginning and End, 
Omnipotent and Omniprescient! 

2 

Arbiter of Destiny, 
Creator of Worlds, 
Mirror of Space, 
Marshalling the Stars! 
Law of Creation, — 
Order and Harmony, — 
True Perpetual Motion; 
Controlling the Tides, 
Changing the Seasons! 



i><^. 






^^^=^^^4:.. 




22! 



W 



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SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 

3 
The All-Radiant, 
Holy and Sublime, 
Breathing the Serene, 
Absorbing the Profound! 
Worship and Religion! 
Body and Soul, 
Mercy and Justice, 
Forgiveness and Punishment! 

4 
Parent, Lover, Friend; 
Master Teacher, — God! 



* 
(5.- 






•-•a/;.', 




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SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 229 l| 



SIN IS A WARRIOR BOLD. 



The veteran Sin is a warrior bold; 
7^ His army on the march through life, 

Bivouacs round the camp-fires of pleasure, 
. . And sleeps armed for the strife. 



y 



§1 



Wealth is his double-edged rapier keen; 

Folly the arm that strikes to win; 
He strides through lit halls of revelry, 

Slyly taking his captives in. 

3 
In the rampant hour of our wildest mirth, 

Like flies of summer, in the sun. 
He enters our hearts, an unseen foe, 

Till, with his subtle arts, we're won. 



V 



Light as the foam on the dancing wave, 
Like airy sylph his first approach; 

He glides to us as a seeming friend, 

And bids us mount in his demon coach. 



■^'^^^ 








iS^"^'^ 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



(/ 



*^«^ 

\ 



Away! away! over fields of flowers, 
Where death-dews poisons distil; 

We gaily gallop through mad delights, 
Where serpents coiled leap at his will. 



Alas! too late! Down the abyss we leap, 

And frantic try to fly away; 
While, laughing, he springs the winding coil 

And Mercy hides in Hope's death ray 







^ 




SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 23 I 

CHAINS CANNOT FETTER THE 
MIND. 






IL 



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ir 



Chains cannot fetter the eternal Mind, 

Nor to captivity can Soul be given; 
Around the body only links can bind, 

The living Thought to prison ne'er is driven. 

2 
Like grand Galileo shut within his prison; — 

The rack of torture made his body speak; 
"The earth does not move;" but the spirit risen 

'Bove pain, cried out, "It moves! The truth I seek!* 

3 
The eagle spirit, fed on lofty thought, 

Can rise beyond the clamor of the world; 
By will and grandeur, constancy is taught. 

To trample ills, nor be to misery hurled. 



In prison, even, the lofty soul is free. 

Free to soar high on its own glorious wings 

O'er all the realms of thought so airily, 

Laughing at chains and jails as empty things. 



N-"''^^^»r^^ 




232 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



The cultured soul has its own empire free. 

And never bends to earthly throne; 
Let courtly puppets cringe the slavish knee, 

Genius retires itself and dwells alone. 

6 
. Genius can blaze within its own lit fires, 1 

And light the flaming torch that leads to heaven) 
When dead, it burns on its own funeral pyres, — 
The temples it to history had given. 

i 7 

True freedom dwells but in the liberal mind; 

It soars beyond the casing piles of stone. 

^' Fetters ne'er stop its wanderings. It can find 

\^ Treasures enough to build its own high throne. 





^^ 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 233 



FIGHT ON. 



4 
t. 



& 



Life is a battle. Fight ye on; 
The goal ye seek will yet be won: — 
Whether yon starry dome on high, 
Rising in the distant sky; 

2 
Or Temple of immortal fame, 
To reach which sets the heart aflame; 
Or bauble of the passing hour 
Of pride or pomp, of place or power. 



CVr-. 



(■-^ 






Fight on, though dark and drear the task, 
In fortune's smiles you yet shall bask. 
Though torn your flag, and weak and dying, 
E'er let this proud device be flying. 



I 



•— ^a-e€^P>3-esi^— 



<>^ 



231 SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



THE CHURCHYARD. 



In solemn upright rows they throng around. 
In marble whiteness from the grassy ground;— 
Those mournful hillocks dedicate to death, 
Whose verdure hides the body, 'reft of breath. 



Whither, O, whither has the spirit flown? 
Into a flower of heaven, now full blown. 
Or orb of fire amid the depths below, 
Where demons laugh, as they to evil go. 

3 
A solemn stillness fills the haunted ground, — 
Haunted by souls of dead, who gaze around. 
Methinks I hear weird footfalls on the air 
Of spirits long departed, hovering there. 






There lie their bones within death's holy ground,' 
With marble chapels studding all around, I, 

That show a last respect for buried dead, 
While flowers from loving hands bloom overhead. 



O, what a holy mystery is death! 
The last veil rent with the departing breath, 
That hid the glimpses of a far-off heaven; 
We fly to God whene'er that veil is riven. 

6 
O, sacred mystery at the close of life, 
Ending fore'er on earth all mortal strife. 
Like mystic shroud, it guards the hidden future. 
Till God himself doth cast aside its vesture. 



^ 



Ages untold have rolled themselves around, 
Yet no dead spirit e'er has touched earth's ground, 
To light of love renew, or friendship's joys. ; 

Death in oblivion all the past destroys. i 



The future is a dreaded mystery. 

We cannot touch a spot in yonder sky. 

Or show where spirits wing their final flight, — 

To sunbeam born, or ever lost in night. 



^C Creation waits apace, in solemn silence 

For God to pluck the awful mystery thence, — 
That, clear as light, the mystic spirit world 
May in the Real, illlumined, be unfurled. 



236 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



O, magic page tnat ends the book of Time! 

v^ O, hour that will unfold its leaves sublime! — 

V Scattering to all the varied winds of heaven 

The sphinx — grim Death — with all his mystery riven! 



Hail then! All hail that blest hour of light, 
When God rolls back the centuries of night, 
To show how dwelt the Spirit after death; 
Where went '^ and how it renewed its breath. 



M 






S^' 




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^ 



J: 



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%. 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEiMS. 237 



MANHOOD. 



i 



W 



Sell not your honor's self for gold, 
Nor for the gems of Earth untold, 
Nor yet for Beauty's witching smiles, 
Nor yet Ambition's lofty wiles. 

2 

But be a man! Though e'en in rags, 
Ne'er envy Croesus' money bags. 
A j/ian can ever walk the street 
Erect, and fearing none to meet. 

3 
What though your Coat's threadbare at seam, 
Its napless shine's an honest gleam. 
What though your face is thin and pale, 
'Tis better than on wrong t' regale. 

4 
Be a man! Though clouds do lour. 
And troubles thick around thee pour* 
Be a man, 'spite this or that; 
Many a cur wears a silk hat! 



V^-ij 



/ i 



'€ 



Yi 
<^>' 



238 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



Ay, be a man, both firm and true 
And God ere long will smile on you, 
Will bless you with a life of peace 
That ne'er in Death will seek release. 






Show to the world you have the pluck (>^f- 

To be honest, even if out of luck; 

To do the right with all your might \. 

Though Fortune frowns, and hides the light^^. 

^% 
■'f 

Of Hope. Bethink, a heavenly ray 
Illumes the straight and narrow way; 
'T will crown your labor in the End, 
When Time the universe doth rend. 



When all of Space is lit with fires, 
'Tis only Principle aspires 
To mount the throne of God on high. 
All else but Principle shall die. 




^'Si^^^ 



■^^'«^^sr9^- 



^m^ 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 239 



THE DIADEM. 



0^k' 



The diamond is flashing and bright; 
The pearl doth beam with a softer light; 
The rub}'' gleams with a rich red hue, 
Like drop of blood lit with morning dew. 



^' 



The amethyst glints with a bright pink gleam, 
Like young rose in morn's twilight beam. 
The emerald scintillates velvet green. 
Like Spring's first verdure in Sun's bright sheen. 






The planets radiate golden light, 
And groups of stars are milky white. 
Save blood-red visage of warlike Mars, 
The battle-god of the ancient wars. 

4 
The heart is a gem so pure and true; 
Friendship a gem of constant hue; 
The mind is a gem of a grander light; 
The soul is a gem divinely bright. 





^/x- 



240 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



Love is a gem that the heart doth wear; 
Pity a gem that the soul doth bear; 
Hope is a gem that God hath given; 
Faith is a gem that leads to heaven, 



t 

■-v' 



Sparkling crown decks a royal brow, ' 

To whom in homage the people bow; 
Diamonds and pearls beauty's waist doth zone; 
And glittering gems are in halls of stone. 

7 
There are flashing gems both in earth and sky; 
Glittering gems that each other outvie; 
But the Diadem that our bosoms fill 
Is holy submission to God's will. 








—.i.4^ caste's®?!!^ »v l) .«■ J* 




SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 24I 



TRUE FREEDOM, 



*Tis not a land of liberty makes free:^ 
The soul both sin and folly's slave may bej 
The links of Law afe not the only chains: — 
^ The mind has dungeons crimsoned o'ef with stains^ 



The bigot lives a prisoner of the mind, 
While Superstition's links around him bindj 
Fanatics slaves are to their own dark creeds, 
Murder and torture fill the soul like weeds, 

* 3 

The abject slave to Rum is never free,— 

^ Who not himself controls, a slave must be. 

The miser wears a jacket straight of gold 

Which hard as grips of steel his bosom hold. 



The gambler is a slave to cards and dice,. 
Which chain him oft as firmly as a vice; 
Voluptuaries, who are slaves to lust, 
Their souls forever sheathe in fleshly rust, 




/.Ji;^ 








242 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



h 



The liar, slanderer, thief and debauchee, 
Are they not helpless bound? Or are they free? 
Freedom disdains such weak and servile men; 
Who, bent with shame, ne'er stand erect again. 



The men who're robed in God's own livery, 
Are Eagles in this life — the truly free. 
Their soaring hearts, pure as the buoyant air, 
Ascend to heaven, in glory and in prayer. 



When free from vice, we then are truly free, 
We bear God's banner through Eternity! 
Erect, to immortality we soar; — 
Free in its sacred air forevermore. 







SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



243 



THE UNOUAILEDSPIRITSHOULD 



f. 



NEVER SHRINK. 



The iinquailed Spirit should never shrink 
To quaff the waters on fortune's brink; 
Be they sweet as nectar, or red as blood, 
Or black and turbid from destruction's flood. 



m 



The grand and lofty souled should boldly scan 
Every misfortune from nature or man; 
Let fate or circumstance do what it will, 
The soul, erect in pride, should tower still. 



Let slaves bow down in fear beneath the lash; 
A freeman born defies the mighty's crash; 
E'en should the world oppose with all its power, 
Unbending front to fate is freeman's dower. 

4 
Submissive be to right and law alone, 
Whatever life may bring, no wrong condone; 
No torture e'er can shake the firm-set soul, 
E'en Chaos yields to Constancy's control. 



y> 



244 SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 

, THERE IS A GLORY EVERY- 
WHERE. 



A glory murmurs in the air; 

A glory fills the sunbeam fair; 

A glory hues the clouded sky; 

And flecks each tinted fleece on high. 



A glory gilds the hues of even; 
A glory glints the stars of heaven; 
A glory mists the moon's pale orb, 
Like love-dreams which its life absorb. 




A glory stirs the godlike mind; 
A glory round the heart's entvi^ined; 
A glory fills the heaven-born soul 
With dreams that prove its starry goal 

4 
A glory gems the morning dew; 
A glory tints the flower's hue; J^ 

A glory scents the buds of Spring, 
O'er which winged warblers sweetly sing. Hi 

C5 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



245 



A glory hymns from Church of God; 
A glory gleams o'er sacred sod; 
A glory bathes the tapering spire, 
And points the way to Heaven's choir. 

6 
A glory lies on the harvest field; 
A glory shines on the golden yield; 
A glory moves the waving wheat, 
And ripens food for man to eat. 

7 
A glory mantles the sons of toil; 
A glory crowns the fertile soil; 
A glory soothes the struggling poor. 
Who strain to keep want from the door. 




A glory chaunts sweet melody; ; 

A glory swells the bounding sea; 
A glory dowers the historic past, 
Wreathes monuments now fading fast. 

A glory bubbles mid desert sand; ^ 

A glory shines on the generous hand; '"^ 

A glory bursts from the inspired band, 
Who do God's service hand in hand. 



246 



u. 



f-. 






SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 

10 
A glory sweetens the Couch of death; 
A glory drinks the martyr's breath; 
A glory lightens each true heart, 
And cleanses every guilty part. 

II 
A glory lives in our dreams of heaven; 
A glory illumines a soul forgiven; 
A glory enlightens a son of sin; 
Who strives repentant, heaven to win. 



I 



A glory jewels tears of pity; 
A glory lifts the poet's ditty; 
A glory throbs each noble heart, 
Who ne'er from duty doth depart. 



13 



A glory flings o'er all its beams; 
A glory gilds where'er eye gleams; 
A glory beacons life's dark way, 
Spangles each step with a golden ray. 



14 



•>-> 



A glory encircles tlie hour of prayer, 
A glory lingers everywhere; 
A glory gleams Creation through 
Each atom tips with God's own dew. 



\\. 



^ j^ 



-^^fl^-^SffltfWfi-^P: 



r\ ^ ■ 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



247 



WHY, O, WHY? 



S 
^ 



Standing beneath yon starry sky, 
The soul still questions, Why, O, Why? 
Must we, then, always surely die. 
Ere in yon" azure depths we lie? 



J 






The Spirit-soul ere flown to heaven, 
Must from its earthly seed be riven. 
Ere it transplanted be on high, 
To richer mold in yonder sky. 

3 
Life is the one great harvest field; 
Death is the scythe the reapers wield; 
Heaven is the granary on high, 
Where stored the ripened harvests lie. 



He 



» ■ >g g-i 



, 248 



% 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



* 



EDEN BEFORE THE FALL. 



'r*-' 



O'er Eartn tnere floated hues all heaven-born, 

The germful air was filled with fragrant sighs, 

As of a soul just given the breath of prayer. 

While not a cloud did fleck the blue serene. 

Adam and Eve in rosy bower reclined. 

Watching the lion and the lamb at play^ 

While round the tiger's form the harmless snake 

In beauteous coils his sinuous length did twine, 

A band of angels floated softly by. 

And winged a welcome to the perfect pair, 

Joy poured its happy heart upon the scene. 

The air was full of songs of many birds, 

Whose glittering plumage flitted through the grove. 

Afar the sound of tinkling waters came 

To swell the heavenly strain. The mild gazelle 

And mountain dog in sport each other chased. 

A wondrous wealth of flowers their sweet perfume 

Distilled around. O'er all things fairy streams 

Of lambent light were seen, that seemed to veil 

A living Presence. Adam's 'raptured eyes 

On Eve's were turned, with holy love absorbed. 



% 



*T 




And beaming inspiration like a God. 

Eve gazed on him in speechless Ecstacy, 

Her cheecks carnationed with a happy glow. 

Thus gazing on each other, in their eyes 

There shone a love translucent, and the. Earth 

Was all of Heaven. The diadem of Peace 

Plucked from the Crown of God, its luster shed 

Upon the blissful pair. And in their looks 

Were chaunts to Him transfigured in a smile, 

A smile of sweetest rapture, holiest calm, 

That breathed the creature's thanks for life's sweet 

boon 
In such a Paradise with Each to dwell. 



0: 




250 SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 

FOR A YOUNG LADY'S ALBUM; H 



& 



With cheerful smile 
Life's cares beguile, 
Then joyous sing, 
Like bird on wing. 

2 

Hope be thy star, 
Shining afar; 
Faith thy sure guide 
To Heaven wide. 

3 
Be pure and true 
God will indue 
With treasures rare, 
Haloinof thee there. 






i. 



^ 



Crowns wreathe thy head, 
Glory-bespread, 
Lit round the throne 
Where God sits alone. 



^^^ 



^^^^^ 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



2^1 



Then laugh and sing, 
With golden wing, 
Culling the flowers 
In fairy bowers. 










252 SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 

Mj hope. 



/ '■/■/ 
'■•• > 



As I lay on the couch of sorrow 
And thought of coming gloom to-morrow, 
My soul grew steeped in ray less night, 
So black as left no hope of light. 

2 

The Universe to me was blank, 
The Earth a cavern dark and dank; 
No e3'^e of pity beamed on me 
To set my failing spirit free. 



f 






Life's every aspect wore a frown, 
To press my very being down; 
No cheering radiance could I see 
In this wide world's immensity. 

4 
My spirit gloomier grew, and black. 
Like lead it did the burden pack; 
My brain with thought seemed iron-bound, 
Pulsating with terrific sound. 



J-] 



^f 




i£3' 



■^ 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



253 



(>..■. 



tf 



Then hovered o'er a Spirit-light, 
Radiant, as from a diamond bright; 
It sparkled, glittered, fluttered, shone, 
Like gem of heaven with burning zone. 

6 

On me its ra5's were turned so brightly, 
My sorrows flew away as lightly; 
The sudden darkness all was gone, 
I woke transferred to Heaven's zone. 

7 

My lamp of life grew brighter, brighter; 

My lifting soul grew lighter, lighter; 
The burden lifted from my heart, 
The joyous pulse anew did start. 



£ 



f 



^ 



'B 



.v\ 



Who art thou, with such magic power? 
Whence didst inherit thy sweet dower? 
What star to thee has radiance given, 
To light a doomed soul to heaven?* 

9 
The Spirit-light now oped its lip ' 
While starry gleams did lift and dip. 
Like glory-rays they pierced my soul, 
Like joyous spirits around did roll. 



254- 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



-y 



y )« 



c^"- 



It spoke: — the universe grew light, 
And dazzled with the blazing sight, — 
O'erflooded with the vivid ray, 
As if were come Eternal Day! 

II 
With gladness each sweet tone was voiced, 
All gone the gloom; all things rejoiced. 
While nearer yet the radiance shone 
That had with magic stilled my moan. 

12 

"I am the Star of Hope in life. 
To lift mankind from doubt and strife; 
To lighten holy paths to heaven 
With grace the sordid soul to leaven." 

13 
It vanished like a dazzling dream. 
But left behind a shining gleam, 
Which peaceful sits within my soul 
A torch to light to Heaven's goal. 



•^ 



/s/ 



>-^sa-is€^^-^i^— 



1 



. 4 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



255 



THE SOFT ZEPHYR WILL FLOAT 
INTO THIN AIR. ^ 



-■-•/^ The soft zephyr will float into thin air; 

t. The sweet perfume but for a moment stay; 
V . The witching twilight's glory shortly wear, 
'Cross heaven, the rainbow bars its way. 

2 
By careless sneer is Friendship often riven; 

And from a frown Love's self soon flies away; 
Fame — fleeting glory to oblivion driven; — 

Ambition lights our path but for a day. 



But Truth once surely gained can never die; 

It soars aloft on waves of Time to heaven. 
There in God's treasury fore'er t'will He, 

As proof of its return whence it was given. 

4 
Winter's icy gems will melt away 



^ 



The gorgeous cloudlets with their wings of light 



Will soft dissolve into the azure way, 



€> 



That rings high heaven's dome so purely bright.^^ 



T 



256 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



But holy deeds ascend on lightning wing, 

Perfumed as they float heavenward on their way 

To that all sacred spot, where angels sing, 
And God himself smileS' — lit Creation's ray. 







O, dreams lie in the azure of the soul, 

Where not a cloud obscures the vision fair, 

Whose shadows are footprints- of angel mold, 
That tread the verdure of elysium there. 



,^ 



The burning worlds may melt into thin air; 

The granite hills may crumble into dust; 
E'en the hard diamond change to atoms fair, 

But Thought eternal, Time can never rust. 

8 
The only Jewels that survive the change of Time 

Are those within the soul, linked with our God; 
Like temples adamantine they will shine, 

Forever shafted deep in heaven's sod. 





fy^y 




Viil 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



257 



LOOK UP. 



.^^^ 



Look up! Though stars still stud the darkened West, 
. Spangling the shroud that wraps our yesterday, 
The beauteous morn will ope its cheering eye, 
And drive the darkness and the gloom away. 

2 

The moon, in borrowed lines of silver light, 
With soulless lustre decks the glassy stream 

.That in its bosom holds the sheen awhile 
But as the promise of a warmer beam. 

3 
For see! E'en now the sun doth mount the East, 

To usher in the gorgeous pomp of day. 
The dew-drops on each leaf and flower awaits 

Its freedom from the vivifying ray. 



Look up! Though sorrow fills thy brooding soul. 
For thee, too, life has yet its golden morns. 

God rives the darkness with a ray of light. 
That soon in splendor all the Earth adorns. 



1 =58 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



Look up! No misery to endless night 

Can pass. For He who maae the sun and moon 

And stars, will surely rescue every soul 

To dwell with Him in His eternal noon. I 









J^t 






1; 



i^ 



■^yi^rvnfi 



l^^^^-E^:^ 



""Wr 



V ,/ 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



^ 

259 



HAPPINESS. 




:/ 



i^ ■- 



How beautiful! Nature crimson lips presents 
All wreathed with kisses. Sunshine scatters down 
Its bliss on tree, and shrub and flower. The air, 
All quivering, breathes its incense, and instils 
A prayer to God. In heaven the blue serene 
Floats cloudless. Purity hangs like a spirit ^ 

O'er all creation. Robes of peace enwrap 
All things in soft embrace. The downy wings 
Of sweet elysium float above the scene 
Like heavenly mantle of Repose. 

Creation '^: 

Is wrapped in dream of loveliness that light y 

The earth with glow immortal. The halo 
Of holy mystery seems vibrating everywhere, 
Like sybil whisper from the distant spheres. 

Methinks 'twixt earth and sky I now behold 
The mystic forms of angels, sending blessings "' ^~ 
Down from the rosy Mouth of Music, sweet. 
Breathing perfume, with soft entwining wings, 
Lulling the air to witching harmonies. 



26o 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



•>) 



Hark! O'er the earth's distant verge doth rise v; ■;/ 

'\J 
A spotless spirit — image fair of Joy '. -/ 

■- ' i 
With harp of pearl and gems, all breathing round 

The harmonies of Peace! The diadem 

Of Heaven's without a flaw, no stain doth touch 

This scene divine of perfect loveliness! 

Dark spirits of Creation now are hushed 
Within their cells, and Fear now seems entombed. 
O'er all things hangs a languor all divine, >^-- 

Repose all heavenly! On the scented breeze WL 

Come caroling deep prayer. Twixt earth and heaven .\. 
Each atom seems on tiptoe lifted, arms 
Outstretched, with incense offered up to God. % 

The music sweet of human souls doth rise 
On wings, in adoration of their God. J^ 

Bright eyes peer round me with a lovely glance '^, ^ 
From every object that I gaze upon, tL 

A universal love-feast seems to reign, &4> 

And breathes a spell upon me. And I seem / 

Uplifted in a purer atmosphere, ^ 

A brighter glow of light, more-fadiant Presence. 

Day melts away, dissolved in seas of glory. ,^''j 
Night vaults from darkness, with a languor soft 
And sweet, as if intoxicated with perfumes. 

The stars wink with their golden glances, 
And shake their fiery ringlets as in sport, 




SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



261 



-r "Floating in heaven as if 'twere wedding night 
Of some great ruling Spirit of the skies. 
\^. Night passes on, as if it did enjoy 

A honeymoon with its fair queen — the Moon 
Of misty shades. 

The image grand of God 
Seems hovering everywhere, and whispering 
A silent music to the soul, within 
Its chambers breathing heavenly harmonies. 

Adoration lifts the scene. A glory bright, — 
Extatic hallelujah — the Universe 
;■ v^'Now wraps in nameless joys! 

And o'er Creation 
One standard seems to float; 'the banner 'tis 
Of Joy — the Sunburst of the Universe! 



V 






X*' 







'^' 



A 



262 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



WOULD'ST THOU, MORTAL, 
TREAD HIGH HEAVEN. 



^<. 



Wouldst thou, mortal, tread high heaven? 
Let thy soul from sin be riven. 
So ascend the starry way 
That leadeth to eternal day. 

2 
Keep thy conscience clear and light, 
Guard it, ever day and night, 
Gazing at the sacred dome 
Where is God's immortal home. 



>. 



There sporting in a sea of joy. 
Where tempting fiend can ne'er annoy, 
Life's fountains jet their glorious spray, 
And Hope's star brightens all the day. 






^ 



.^.<:^:a^ 



r^pj^i^^i^i^ 





SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 263 



TRUE RESPECT. 



,^.. 



y (k: 



He who disdains to thank his God 
In reverence devout and prayer, 

Deserves to sleep beneatli the sod, 
Nor wake to rise to heaven fair. 



if' 



He is a wretch almost past mending, 
No self-respect is in his soul; 

His thankless life is not worth ending, 
And after death becomes a ghoul. 



9 



A manly man is always thankful, 
And shows his courtsey to all; 

Loyal to heaven, to man he's manful, 
Grateful to God whate'er befal, 



if 



I 



?^i- 



Who seasons all the food we eat 

With palate nice and toothsome taste; 

How then forget we Him to greet, 
And own his Love in every case. 



3 



264 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



We thank him for the Universe, 
For life and being, mind and soul; 

He who sings not, in prose or verse, 
His praise, is formed of demon mouldi 






He gives us friendship, love and beauty,- 
Dreams, fancies, passion and desire. 

Can we, then, lack in loyal duty? 
Or ne'er to dwell with him aspire? 

7 
No! every faithful son of Earth, 

Till he or till he not the sod, 
Is loyal ever to his birth, 

And bows the knee but to his God. 

8 
For is not God our Holy Chief? — 

Why then refuse Him life's salute? 
Nay, hide not like a guilty thief, 

Or slink away like coward brute. 

9 
Like Christian warriors, offer arms! 

And at the front e'er ready stand! 

Ne'er more to fear of hell's alarms. 

Nor all the power of the land. 



Sr xm. a^ rf%. 



•^^^■^nt. '^^^wmtfft' ^:^Z> .^e^^^"^ fr\ /S> 




■lA 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 265 

10 
Then raise aloft your sacred banner, 

And fling it boldly to the breeze, 
And cluster round in Christian manneri 

That no rude hand the ensign seize. 









Guard, guard it well until life molds; 

Never weary, never yielding, 
Till float o'er earth and heaven its folds 

With God o'er all His sceptre, wielding. 




266 SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



i/l4 



THE MEANEST THING THAT 
LIVES. 






The very meanest thing that lives 
To me some secret pleasure gives; 
Be it a spider, worm or ant, — 
A beetle, snake, or muscle plant. 

2 

Fogj mist and slime have each a charm, 
In contrast with the sunshine warm; 
Or mud that lines the dirty street, 
With fertile plains, and fruit to eat. 



4 






'if 






^A 



H^<^ 



f^^ ^r^^t 



'% 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 267.. 



f A STAR EVER BEAMS FOR THEE. 



^ 



'^} 



Think not, O, mortal, God forgets thee, 
Or leaves thee to thy doom; 

He who has made worm, ant, and bee, 
Has spun thee in His loom. 

2 

Each mystic thread of life He's woven 
To touch some human head; 

He is a wretched, idle sloven 
Who wake- not at His tread. 



A star of glory o'er thee hovers, 

However dark the night; 
Its beam thy spirit sometimes covers 

With soft and cheering light. 






'>., 



? 



Though we are false, He's no deserter; 

But to his promise true. 
His star will ever shed lustre 

Till He reclaims His due. 





268 SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 

LOVE IS THE KEY-ARCH OF 
HEAVEN. 



Love is the key-arch of high heaven, 
Into its depths so boundless driven 
Upholding there God's sacred dome — 
The Spirit-soul's rich palace home. 

2 

Love dwells in the perfume of the flowers, 
In the emerald glances of nature's bowers; 
In the star-born breath of a cloudless night. 
In the silvery beams of a sweet moonlight. 

3 
Love dwells in the shadows of the lake, 
At twilight eve when the ripples break, 
In its glassy mirror reflecting there 
The thickening bush and the trees so fair. 

4 
Their nodding plumes in the lake's eye caught. 
Are gemmed with light, by their ripples taught 
To glorious float o'er the glassy tide. 
As o'er it they, rising and falling, glide. 



'XJ 



^ 



<S i!S 



es^ 



^jzlJU^C 




SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



I see it wave in the golden corn, 

I breatlie it in incense of early morn, 

I see 't in the wheat's bright sunlit plume. 

Side by side with the wild-rose bloom. 

6 
Love laughs in a bonny eye of blue, 
In a midnight orb of raven's hue, 
In the gray e3'e that like morning dawns. 
In the brown, as soft as gazelle's or fawn's. 

7 
'Tis hued in the rainbow of the sky, 
'Tis in the snow that on Alps doth lie. 
In the beauteous dyes of the autumn leaves, 
In Eolian whispers the ear receives. 



.'>^ 



It runs through the juices of the fruit 
That God has made each taste to suit; 
It lives in each savory thing we eat, 
Each differing flavor holds love so sweet. 






He who the ecstatic joys of life 
/jf In love designed — home, children, wife, — 

To each thought and passion has given a joy 
Love-woven, if we banish sin's alloy. 



'r^ 






-l^.y^^ 



%fMr? 



270 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEiMS. 



Love pours its pure tide within our veins, 
That courses like God's own crimson rains, 
As if every drop was sealed in heaven, 
To give a foretaste of His starry Eden. 



',;' 'ti. 



Love rolls through each fibre of the soul, 
Its witchery proves its divine control; 
'Tis woven in with Creation's laws. 
To sweeten life in its holy cause. 



^Af" 



^- 



Love is the flag of heaven and earth, 
Flung o'er Creation at its birth; 
In God's own blood are its colors dyed, 
To show to the world 'tis deified. 



V— ^ wet??-- ssS"^ Jia*''^-^ 



i 



<f 



I 



i^'^. 



e^ 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



271 



CHANCE. 



(There was an old philosopher named Chance, 
Who very queer ideas did advance. 
"There is no method in sun, moon, or stars, 
I swear there is not, by the planet Mars." 



»ss 



How then did this world ever make itself? 
How get its wood, and stone, and earth, and pelf? 
Did no hand manipulate the ground. 
Or help to build the universal mound? 



''No! All was once but thin and empty air; 
Air atoms are inflated everywhere. 
These atoms squeezed together, in a bound. 
In heaps, which made the universe around.'' 

4 

Who made them bound? At whose creative nod? 
Could they so leap, without command of God? 
"Yes, just like spontaneous combustion: 
By power spontaneous these atoms rushed on." 



7^l!!ittlfs 



272 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



That is exploded by our chemic law. 
The atoms blow up subject to known law, — 
Known causes. Your ''spontaneous" is in check,- 
Or else the stars might fall and break our neck. 



P 



But, Mr. Chance, who made the air? — Tell that! 
"Twas self-created." Ah, indeed! Queer fact! 
The air has a creative power then! 
Say rather, Self-created God made men! 






^ 



On earth we are born naked, — must create 
To eat, know, live; must early work and late. 
' Nothing spontaneous in the world is found. 
By scientific law all things are bound. 



v^ .<: 



\'i) 



A self-created power made the air, — 
Those wonderful spread atoms everywhere. [God." 
"Nature's that power," quoth Chance; "Nature is o 
But Nature's law, and law moves at some nod. 



"That nod is an inherent soul in all,"" 
Says Chance, "that moves this universal ball." 
The star battalions, then, on their own hook, 
Move in grand harmony from such a crook! 




SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



27 




tf* 



4 



Quoth Chance, "Pray tell me, who 'twas made this 
That from Time's womb gave self-creative nod?[God;v 
If so, then all things have the self-same power;— 
For self -creation is man's general dower." 



'Tis strange, where every thing obeys a law, Q-^ 

It should spontaneous spring up; not a flaw! 
Some wise and guiding force must move them round, 
This force requires a Soul; mind keen and sound! ,> 

A 

If Chance, my friend, ruled both the night and day, {f\ 
You could with ease disturb the starry way. |v ' 

Chance then would rule the earth, and air, and sky.|l|'i^ 
Kaleidoscopic-like all things would lie ^ 

13 
In strange confusion, daily in new forms! 
No, no; the world is not yet ruled by worms. 
All things are moved by one stern, guiding hand; w 
No halting, no mistake; but all is grand. 

14 
E'en self-creation needs a towering mind, 
Called Nature, Chance, or God, or what you find. 
Mind no beginning had, will have no end. 
Or else had source! To this let reason bend! 





Chance would upset all Nature every day; 



17 

The stars would bump and do each other harm; 
)■ 
jl^The icy pole would slide to tropics warm; 

'' ;' The restless sea would overflow the land, 

mAnd mountains fill the seas with stone and sand. 



T 



Now pumpkins would drop from the milky way; / 

'And whales would hang upon the moon's pale rim, ^ 
In billowy air to sport, and wave, and swim. 

16 

One day mankind upon the trees would grow, 
'^•jiAnd Planets too their seed on earth would sow; 
, ♦ Another, men climb stars to plant their corn, 
And angels tramp the world, naked, forlorn. 



wf- 



18 



Then through the air strange things would often fly; 
A palace or an oak would rend the sky; 
And when some day you sat you down to dinner, 
In air the plates would fly, as I'm a sinner! 



19 



One day you would be walking on your head; 
Another day the graves would yield their dead; 
One day Creation would collect in air, 
Turn somersault and scatter everywhere. 



.(^ 



y^^b-rs^^MSI^r^^^ 



'Kr\,v 



SERIOUS AND RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



275 



Chance soon would come to utter wreck and ruin; 
All things would fly, chaotic way pursuing; 
The world would come all quickly to an end, 
• And e'en these lines, forgotten, Time would rend. 










is 



^ 



g^-p-- 



^ 









^ 




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'^-ifeita.rW^KiMli-SfeS^ 




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SATIRICAL POEMS. 



^ 



^ 



V 



sxr) 



/ 











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SATIRICAL POEMS. 



279 



;/ 



THE LIBERTINE. 



1 






K 
*-.' 

f-^--' 



Behold the soft and slimy sneak 
Beneath the mask of gentleman, 

With soulless Lust his deep eyes reek 
Whene'er a stainless maid they scan. 

2 
See the pure and virgin fair, 

Modest, gentle, innocent, — 
Neath guise of love and friendship rare 

By lying arts to ruin sent. 

3 
Is he not a loathsome sight, — 

Formed of slimy, snaky dust, — 
Polluting e'en the sun's pure light, — 

A slave to groveling, filthy lust? 






t 



Behold that once free, happy home! 

By stealth he gains an entrance there; 
Step by step he lures to roam 

The wife, and stains her Virtue fair. 



s^ 



280 SATIRICAL POEMS. 

5 
Is this done by manly act, — 

Or done as does the leprous snake 
Coiling about with cunning tact 

A husband's trusting heart to break? A 

6 ',•;. 

.Accursed his treacherous, fulsome track, '^ :■ 

A vicious pander to his lust! V^ 

■'A 

Does he not all of manhood lack, 0" • 

Composed of Nature's Carrion dust? 



7 
Watch him, as he flattering moves, 
/,'; With lying smile in cozening grooves, 

Trailing his foul path, sure though slow; — 

"^l A vulture, that does venom sow. 

CS 

[^ :■ 8 

{ J Nay, let him live, a mark for scorn! 

/(':^ The wide world's detestation. 

Honor's Apostate! — wretch forlorn! 
Abhorred of every station! 

Let deep disgrace bestrew his track; 
In shame his helpless victims' bound, 
hsfr) Where naught can bring their honor back! 

Let guilt and woe e'er him surround! 



^>^^L&.50fc3..I:^s^>:?^iil^^ -^^Lij\ ^r^i 



X^. 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



281 



His presence is a pestilence! 

A shuddering horror seizes all. 
No guard can scape his practiced fence, 

Nor aught but flight his mesh's thrall. 



pi 

\ ■ 



A darkness, gloomier than night 

Hangs o'er a home where'er he goes; 

All that is sweet he kills at sight, 
And brings a doom of Endless woes. 

12 
A murderer is pure within 

To him; a thief's forgiven much 
But he commits th' tmpardonable sin^ 

And worse than ruin's in his touch. 

13 
False e'er to honor, love and fame; 

He leaves a trail of torture slow; 
For he is hand-and-glove with shame. 

And Misery follows where he goes. 

14 
With perfumed smile and honeyed speech 

Like slyest wolf on Carrion scent. 
He prowls around, — a venomous leech 

And gloats on frailty's chastisement. 



^ 282 SATIRICAL POEMS. ,: 

15 Vi 

With fawning whine, he feigns to love, 
Pouring his sHme in willing ear, 
.*^ His sighs like cooings of a dove 

Till he's transformed a ravenous bear. % 

O, worse by far than Leprosy v^- 

Is his unholy, shameless touch, ^ 

He feeds pure minds with jealousy, \v\ 
Holds keys of brothels in his clutch. 

17 
Far worse than Death, he fills the grave. ^ 

The mad-house claims him as its King! S 

For on the rack his victims rave; 
^y^ His wiles have cost them everything. 

18 
Go, worse than Cain! Walk the Earth. 

Go! Leave behind a direful path. 
Remorseless fiends smiled at thy birth, 

But marked thee food for Endless wrath. 

19 
In slimy depths of murkiest hell 

They never yet have found thy mate. * 

From heaven ne'er apostate fell 

To match thy Every demon trait! 



J^'Wlifv rf-,- 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



283 



Words cannot paint thee as thou art, — 
A fiend too dire for human speech! 

Whose name makes hell's dread echoes start 
That man such vileness could reach. 

21 
Of every name the most abhorred! 

Polluting life with basest crime. 
Guilt so unholy never warred 

With virtue, staining foul the time. 



^^ 



The Demon, lying in wait for souls, 
^ Beholds thy name and laughs with glee, 

'■ For of all deeds that he controls, 

j^ None equal thine in misery. 

23 
O, ruin! Fatal more than fire, 

Staining fore'er a virgin soul! 
Not all the fiends' incarnate ire 

Could e'er invite a fate so foul. 

24 
Heaven shuddering, turns away; 

Angels in pity pause to weep; 
While Nature veils its lambent ray, 

And slimy horrors o'er us creep! 



W 



^ 



i^io ->A~ . , 



^'^^^^''^'^I'^^^P'^^^^^ 



284 



SATIRICAL rOEMS. 



i 



THE CLUB. 



The club! the club! the brutal club! 
Rapping the heads, rub-a-cfub-dub! 
Striking to earth with furious blows 
A drunken wretch whom nobody knows. 









See the strokes fall thick and fast 
On head and limbs while life doth last, 
While coward crowds stand looking near, 
Nor dare protest, from slavish fear; 

3 
They stand appalled at such a sight: — 
A helpless drunkard killed outright. 
The pavement clots with oozing blood 
By "guardian" shed in fiendish mood. 



<5" 






Down with the brute! and let the club 

On his savage head rap rub-a-dub! 

Dismiss him! Cage him! Swing him high!^^ 

Such a beast of a man deserves to die! 



^^^8I&€^^, 



iirtcSy^ 





SATIRICAL POEMS. 



285,^ 



THE JUDGE. 



'>^ 



How lordly he walks; — 
How loftily talks! 
He smiles with an air, 
As if to declare 
His rank, and impress with his dignity. 



^' 



^ 

i 

M 



How stiff is his nod. 
As if a ram-rod 
Were fixed in his spine. 
To prevent an incline! 
'Tis a fact and free from malignity 



V 



His Olympian eye 
To all the small fry 
An oracle proves; 
While his voice, like a Jove's, 
Thunders in tones of severity. 



'I 



1 



x^' 



286 SATIRICAL POEMS. 

4 
He's crammed full of law, 
And brim full of jaw; 
A Dogberry's self 
Stepped down from the shelf;- 
But a Judge! — O, a legal divinity! 

5 
Hurrah for the Judge! 
Though but an old fudge, 
He sends men to limbo, 
And curses, by Jingo! 
All old topers within his vicinity! 



ii 






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A/ ' 



i,^iljtV\.^^p'' 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



THE CRITIC. 



287 






The critic sits in his easy chair, with a pen behind 

his ear, 
Scratching his head for a laggard thought, or to 

make it still more clear: 
,He scratches and scratches till nine times nine, 
J''-' when sudden he gets up steam. 

>t, , He takes up his pen, scratches again, then begins 
^^ to write a dream 

Of what he was told, or saw, or read in some big^ 

book somewhere, 
'J?,. He cannot tell, for half of the time he's tipsy found. 

But there! "" 

J^^ He has to write something, or else he'll starve; 
^ ^ some lines for the magazine 

*W' To keep up his credit; no wife had he; too costly;— r 




® 






SATIRICAL POEMS. 



;' To pay for his toddy, and cigars, his car-fares and 
\ Af ■ his snuff 

•|:_ To pay for his board, clothes, paper and ink, for- 

•>-<^- , . . . , 

f nim is quite enough, 

•^. And all he can do; for these necessaries are hisj 

household gods, 

-i,- His close companions his glass and pipe, that gave' 

^^ him Olympian nods. 



j7 



^ 4 

'-{ So he writes about Jones, a neighbor of his, a small- 
potato fellow. 
With a thimbleful of the shallowest brains, and 
those always half-mellow, ' 

A dry old stick, full of gossip and slang, and sly 'hi,^ 
insinuations, iW 

*-' A kind of small wit; piece out with small talk- -^ 
continuations. 



Stale proverbs, musty stories, and garrulous dis- 
sertations 
- Upon the state of weather, mixed with dull, dry 
meditations 
On the Devil's tail, — how long it was, — how thick, — 
and of what color, — 
, s^ Old Jones was a very serious man, and never bet a 
-': dollar. 




CS^ 



_5:wHttitL 



-^ 




SATIRICAL POEMS. 



289 



r 



his Jones was cut up skillfully, in journalistic fash- 



Into the smallest bits of fat and lean, — a regular 7 

hash on 
?j Dainty porcelain, served up fine; the other critics V 

all agreed ^ 

'Twas devilish good; chief editors too could noth 

ing else concede. 

Our critic so elated was with his fellow-scribbler's 
praise, 
N, He indulged himself at the Tiger's den; laid money •'' N 
on the baize. '?l\\ 

Bet high, drank high, talked big, hobnobbed with \:., 
betting millionaires, 
<^ He tried to believe he was one of them, and puffed '.^ 
himself with airs. .' 

i) 8 1 

,1- 

^ ' O, the critic has an amply stuffed and v;onderful 
wise noddle; 
He has sure market for his wares with the publish- 
N er. Old Foddle. 






/ 



He criticises genius as the cobblers mend old shoes; \'^P 
nJ~ He picks fly-specks, a-nd sits on talent, putting down ":)* 
the screws 




^.oS^M&M 






290 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



On every noble sentiment or happy thought that's J^ 

writ: — 
His microscope's not made to find the finer shades 

of wit. 
He's fit no more than police reports to write, — ilfjJI^ 

even those! 
As critic sure he masquerades in better fellow's'" 

clothes. 



He'll find up at the police court just the game to 
suit his pen, ^• 

And fellows of his ilk; a lot of cheeky, brassy men; 

Ready for any kind of job, — to work up any case, . 

From c7-inu con. up to murder, or down to a broken -^ 
vase. 



5 



Critics, let genius alone! It is too high for you; W? 
Or, stumbling on a Tartar, one day you'll get in a ': 



stew. 



True genius takes but little note of such pestiferou 

flies, 
Save now and then to brush them off when, irnpu^ 
^^ dent, they rise 



& A 



/n fi^ ^ 





%~ 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



Into the realm of Thought and there attempt to 

make a breeze 
Witli puny wing, or else with petty sting to pick 

or tease. 
Ye gad-flies of a great vocation, ply your pens Jp? 

amain; r^Kj. 

jjK- Your nibs but strike the cuticle, nor leave a scar ^^ 



or pain. 



13 



But you must live, and so fair game you count 

among the best; (^'i 

Your weapons light as feathers still are dipped in^|. 
'?- gall for zest, Mj^ 

^,. And furnish sport for idle eyes of thoughtless gos-^| 
sips old, \, 

Who gloat on talent smothered or a genius laid out >, 
^- cold. "^ 

^ ft 

z ■ ^f 

w 




292 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



THE FOP. 



^ 



V 




Look where he swings along the street, 
With twirling cane, and air so sweet; 
With frizzled curls and waxed mustaches 
Whose ends stick out like stiffened lashes; 

2 
With snow-white collar, starched so nice; 
Cravat of lace; — all to entice 
The gaze of fair ones passing by. 
Who turn and look with wond'ring eye 

3 
At this tailor's signboard, as he goes, 
Quite a la mode, in his unpaid clothes; — 
This scented thing, who in his glass 
Doth see a lion, though an ass! 

4 
O, the sheen of his patent leathers! 
Which keep their polish in all weathers; 
A pair of portable mirrors they. 
To admire his face in night and day. 




SATIRICAL POEMS. 

5 
With glass in eye, with smirk on lip, 
And walk somewhat of Boston dip, 
He ogles every modest maid, 
Nor heeds her blush, this dainty blade. 



^93 



^ 






1 
i1^ 



His feet are small; his head is less, — 
A pimple soft, with wilderness 
Of barber's curls, that crowning sit 
Upon a plenteous lack of wit. 

7 
To see him pass, with mincing gait, 
You'd little think how many wait 
His swellship's readiness to pay 
Their bills, which suffer long delay. 

8 
His skill at "slips" he oft employs: 
When tailor's clerks or hatter's boys, 
Or laundresses call at his room. 
They're sure to find him "Not at home!" 



% 



— ?aa-«€§ 



0?' 



%: 



294 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



/»! 



I 






OH BILLY RIMPLE. 



Oh, Billy Rimple! 

Rare Billy Rimple! 
Your face is red, without a dimple; 
Your nose, though, is a royal pimple. 



Oh, Billy Rimple! 

Time will yet crimple 
Your rounded, lazy, swollen body, 
Soaked as it is with whisky toddy. 

3 
Though toddy's your god, 

And to it you nod, 
You ne'er disdain to fill with beer. 
But swill till you can scarcely steer. 



iiJ 



Oh, Billy Rimple! 

How your eyes twinkle 
At sight of a glass of baneful Rum; — 
What strange delight to drink such scum! 



li.-"-^'.- 



1,' 

7 

>A 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 

5 
With hands so grimy 
On pipe so slimy 
You puff away with all your might 
To keep the wretched thing alight. 



295 









Oh, Billy Rimple! 

Why be so simple? 
Your clothes are seedy, lean your purse, 
Your body bloated, which is worse. 

7 

Frightful the sum 

You've squandered for rum! 
You'll burst up like a match-lit flask, — 
Inflammable o\d whisky-cask! 




t'V 



if 



290 



i/ 



SATIRICAL rOEMS. 



THE FLIRT. 



.V 



How flauntingly gay 
She travels Broadway 
With eye e'er alert! 
All can see she's a flirt. 

2 
She spins half around 
When Adonis is found, 
And gazes askance 
With a "follow me" glance. 



^} 






& 



:i 



All's fish in her net; 
Her heart is to let. 
To love she pretends 
But for greedy ends. 

4 
When she squeezes you dry, 
'Tis in vain you may sigh, 
For she passes right on 
To a new lover won. 



^. 



o> 







SATIRICAL POEMS. 



297 



i/ 



Thus she fritters her heart, 
Each gallant takes a part, . 
Till is left but a shred 
Which no one will wed. 



"■"^^ 



t 



J=: 








I 




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¥ 



298 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



THE POLITICIAN. 



'Well friends, are you going to vote to day? 
How is your baby, ma'am? Better, eh? 
How is your toothache? Ah! Feeling better! 
By the way, did your husband get my letter? 



•'4'/' 



He'll vote with us, of course. An honest man, 
Our Candidate! Believe me, no one can 
Show better record for sincerity. 
Belongs to Church — Subscribes to Charity. 



Ah Jackson! How's your wife? I hope she's well. 
Ah, you're a lucky dog, with such a swell, y^ 

A buxom, sweet and fascinating dear. / 1 

Your face is red with pride — [or is it beer?] w 




Ah Blank, you vote with the Democracy, 
Against Fitz Noodle and the Aristocracy. 
Our country's progress is to patriots dear. 
Come in, my friends, and have a little beer. 






'm 



w^^ 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



299 



No! Well, then, let it be brandy and water. 
Ah! One moment, there's our Candidate's daughter. 
Is she not sweet? She will grace well the station 
Our town will raise her father in the nation. 



''.Things are going bad, and must be mended, 
/A/'e'll put in one we know will quickly end it. 

Oh, Mr. M . And how are you to-day? 

Affairs are going swimmingly, they say. 



^N 



All right! The thing is fixed; all packed and mud- 
.■Tnspectors bribed, and Supervisors fuddled, [died; 

Not hard to pull wool over their old eyes. 
, I'll bet a thousand that we win the prize! 

8 
Who'll take me up? Will you, — or you, — or you? 
I'll go two thousand; if a one wont do. 
What, not a taker? Ah, you rascal, Pat, 
I owe you, sir, a handsome new silk hat. 






So come with me and vote for our man Bill; 
He'll soon put down abuse [the whiskey still!] 
Ah! Is that you, friend Terence J. McGee? 
Where'are you going? Bound upon a spree? 



;oo 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



Let us go in, and have a little fun, 
Now that our old friend Bill's as good as won. 
No, boys, it's only I who treat to day. 
Drink what you like. Leave it to me to pay. 

II 

The country is rhumatic, weak as a reed; 
Whiskey and rum will stimulate indeed. 
J.' 'Come in, John; don't stay out there in the cold. 
"^I owe you a 5 for services of old. 

12 
Take it, John, and don't think that I stint. 
See, here it is, fresh shining from the mint. 
Hurrah for Bill! He is a bully boy; 
None of your babies; not a weakly toy, 



i - 



13 



I- 



Like the other Candidate — a blessed fool, 
-, ( Who scarce can read, and was a dunce at school. 
[;/, But Bill's a friend to every workingman 

He's proud to shake the hands of all the clan. 



14 



I 



i. ' 



V.v 



r 



k 



None of your bloated, purse-proud upstarts he. 
But a straightforward man; brisk as a bee. 
Give him his way, and things would soon be right. 
Come, step up boys; the whisky's free to-night. 



(!S 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 




'.Now vote for Bill. I tell you, he's your man 
/^-jThat's up to every game and thieving plan; 
He knows the ropes and rings, and how to steer 
Right through them to advantage. Come, more beer. ^ 




16 



Now, who would ever vote for t'other side? 

purse-proud Nabob! Let him go and ride 
His coach and six along through Central Park. 
He is a humbug, and without a spark 



17 



>^ Of courage. Whereas Bill a soldier is, 
Or was; a man of handsome phiz, 
Who'll do his best our country's foes to settle; — 
A man of sturdy build and sterling mettle. 



I 



i3 



So, 'ooys, don't fail to give him every vote. 
And by the way, you're dry; come wet the throat. ) 
^ We go in for reform, economy, and that; 
^ Read up our platform; see what we're at. 

19 

The Sovereign people helped us from the start. 
(!^/f The poodles on the other side must smart 
j^^ To see us win. Our ticket will go in 

If money '11 do it [with the help of gin!] 





l>/ 



302 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



Hurrah for Bill! Hurrah for him and his! 
The people's choice, — ^who fully knows his biz. 
He'll make the poorest of you rich as Croesus 
And cut away the taxes that now fleece us 



'^N 



H 







Vr 

I 

k 
V 

-■•1 



v(\i? 



©?■'; 




SATIRICAL POEMS. 



303 



I 



BELLE OF THE BALL 



I saw her at the ball; 
My stars! but what a fall! — 
Of hair I mean, of course: — 
Heaven only knows its source. 



ki!. 



It was a tower of strength, — 
That is to, to judge by length. 
It pinnacled her head, — 
A tribute from the dead. 



K 



.^ 



)(. 



s^-\ 



O, she was tender, gushing, 
Bashfully was blushing; 
"All put on, I'm bound!" 
Quoth Tom, and he is sound. 



01. 



Her purse of Berlin wool 
And silk, is always full; 
Its fountain, hard to tell: 
I know it holds out well. 



■■.^ 



301- 




SATIRICAL POEMS. 



rsi 



She makes sad havoc when 
She flirts among the men. 
For one, I keep away; 
She's dangerous, they say. 



J) 



•t! ••' 




■•t'■^^s 






^ 



^ 









0^) 



t-<?:. 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



305 



JUSTICE AND THE LAW. 



-f 

4 
K 



Justice was in a sober mood one day. 
"What is the matter?" said the Law, "I pray!" 
"Ah! Rogue, you know well the reason why; 
Thanks to your tricks, I live without an eye; 



*ia 






r.^X 



¥ 
^ 



I 

fe^ 



Since which my sight is weak, and hard I find 
It is to tell the rogue from honest kind. 
The fault is yours, for through your cunning wiles 
I have lost caste; my name no more beguiles." 

3 
"Oh," said the Law; "Don't make such a pother; 
Lawyers must live, one way or another. 
All trades have their tricks. Gold's often but brass. 
So dry up, and don't show yourself such an ass! 

4 
Your brain is half-fuddled most of the time. 
You are musty and old, and way past your prime. 
To lie and deceive, don't you know is in vogue. 
To be poor, just keep honest; to succeed, be a rogue, 



■ .1. ;-: 



^ 



306 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



I 



"Forehanded, don't you wish to be in season 
With all the fools and knaves? There is the reason 
We put your eye out, — that you might not see, — -X 
Or rather with your blind eye, take a fee. 



Our courts you must know are perfect training 
Forcunning; mental fencing; pluckingfools;(schools \; 
Why hold aloof when grabbing is the game? Vo 

Join in, and share the profits with the name. 



Take half the cash, as your share of the plunder; 
Be blind in both eyes! Honesty to thunder! 
Believe me Justice, honesty's a fudge, 
Behind the age, too slow, and hard to budge. 



t 



[still,^^^ 



Law is alert, keen, sharp-eyed to the ways 

Of profiting by fees, expense and delays; 

Clog's Progress' wheels, and makes the world stand 

If but in dollars it can work its will. \ 

)■: 

Throw honesty o'erboard, and hoist the flag — ^ 
The black flag of the social pirate. Lay •( 

Not there superfluous in the greedy race 
But let the law and justice now keep pace. 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



3°7ia; 



DEAR MR. PINKY. 



^^ Mr. Pinky's a very nice, comely young man, 
<^_.Right clever at lifting a young lady's fan. 
A'^ He bows to the fair ones with chic debonnaire: 



And carries himself with a right royal air. 



tsl- 



His tie is perfection, and so is his hair, — 
'Tis frizzled so finely, to win the sweet fair. 
His mustaches, au fait, twirled out to a line, 
A Pomatumed and scented to please Angeline. 

He winks so enticingly, leers with an air; 



'^:' A swell he is, got up regardless of care. 
Sf His words are so mincing, and drawled out so fine. 
He amuses the ladies, who call hirn divine. 



His beaver is glossy, and brushed every hour; [er. 
He bears his wealth with him, — his person's his dow- 
He ogles the ladies he knows that have cash. 
And fills their light heads with his flattering trash. 



fv' 







3o8 



SATIRICAL rOEMS. 




\i> 



At his club, at the window, on every fine day, 
His figure's a fixture, as smiling as May. 
He smirks and he nods to the damsels so fair. 
Who, passing, indignant become at his stare, 

6 
He's the creme of the Coxcombs! The ton of the 

beaux. ■ V^ 

With patchouly perfuming his gloves and his clothes. ,V:i 
His kerchief with grace to his nostril he holds; ^"' 
His style is the envy of each who beholds. 

7 % 

He twirls his light cane with a dexterous turn. 
And makes the soft hearts of the dear elite burn. 
A sweet sugar-plum is our dear, gallant Pinky: 
The idol of flirts, with an eye on old Jinky. 

8 
In an opera stall, with his glass in his eye. 
He ogles the damsels so fearlessly spry; 
He thinks him Adonis, — beau of the first water. 
And ready and fit for a prince's fair daughter. 



% 



y. 



Just watch him now, smoking a true-blue Havana, 
Whose smoke furls around him in waves like a ban- y^T?, 
He looks to the earth, and he looks to the sky, [ner; « 
Content with himself, almost ready to fly. '^'U^ 



-A ^^ 




SATIRICAL rOEMS. 309 -/ 

10 (A'; 

Our dear little Pinky is seen on the course, 
With borrowed purse betting upon the wrong horse, i 
The sharks of the stable soon pluck him quite bare, '■ 
But a dinner at Mony's soon settles his care. ^. 



% 






'Tis a pleasure to lend, for he asks with an air, 
And who could refuse such an exquisite rare? 
That so radiant in fashion, e'er cuts such a swell, 
In town or at 'Toga is with a rich belle! 



-'tt 



His nose scents a dinner as hound does a bird; 
Though neglecting to ask him, you'll find him a third 
What! Turn liim out? Pinky? The creme of the ton! 
Blasphemy! A man who's so many hearts won! : 

13 
His friends are his Cashiers, He always says so. 
What's gold to his friendship? 'Tis only so-so! 
Who minds a few pennies to know such a man? 
Our pockets soon empty to fatten his span, v/ 

Yet Pinky flourishes, — and Saturdays is seen [green ;;,^(p^^^) 
In Central Park with charming girls, in white or J/ 
He trots them through the Mall with swinging, dain- 
ty tread. 
And gallantly attends them, his every move well bred. 







SATIRICAL POEMS 



15 



All hail to Pinky! Crcme de la crcme is he! 
What though his head as empty as his purse may be! 
Looks he not brave, in broadcloth, silk and lace? — 
ASj Sunday noon, he seeks Grammercy place. 



16 



He's always dressed and stuffed to height of ton. 
Ready for dinner-party, drinking, or hon-ho7t: 
Uppish, big-minded, loud with talk of kin. 
And soft contempt for codfish blood so thin! 



17 






Pinky is great, in his own estimation. 
To dress la mode, smoke, drink, befits his station. 
To hop at balls, and trot sweet flounces home 
Is height of mortal glory 'neath heaven's dome. 

iS 
Pinky 's the ton! — the bona Jide ton, — I state; 
He's up at night, and goes to bed quite late; 
He thinks but of himself, and seeks the poor to shun. 
The belles are dying for him. He can wed but one. 

. , . '' f: 

Pmky s in such demand, — a Mormon grim r. 

He'd better turn, and take his belles with him. y^ 

If too expensive, tap the nation's tills, — [bills! 

Like other grave Senators: — The country pays thCv, 







,! 'Ui,. 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



311 



. >i' 



When Pinky dies, the dears will put on mourning, li 
And sit .n sacKcloth, every comfort scorning; [more; np 
With tearful eyes, they'll cry: "Dear Pinky is no -J 
We'll never match him, though a dreadful bore." 







-4, 



V 
I .- 

i ■■ 






312 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



SHYSTERS. 






^ 



V"-, 



Sneaking, specious, crafty, keen; 
Around the Tombs he may be seen. 
A leofal carrion, — human vulture, — 
An ignoramus, without culture. 

2 

Gouging the culprit of his gold, 
Cozening, promising, lying, — bold; 
Drawing the client of his last cent; 
And then on other mischief bent. 

3 
A thief in heart, — before the law 
Honest enough to 'scape its paw; 
By Justice 'lowed to prowl around; 
A cloven wolf in sheepskin bound! 



3: 



I 




SATIRICAL rOEMS. 



THE DEVIL. 



f 



^ Some think the Devil a horrid brute, 
With forked tail and horns, and a tongue to suit. 
No doubt he is drest in a similar way 
p. When out on a spree or at murderous play. 

«(;■ But oft he's a gallant and spruce young man, 
~ Who, smiling, picks up a young lady's fan; 
Courteously bowing, with many a wile. 
To dull their good sense, and from virtue beguile. 



He sometimes to be a good churchman pretends, 
And even as high as the pulpit ascends. 
Where slily he whispers to reverend ears; 
"You see that young maid who so lovely appears? 

4 
"A weakness for 3^ou fills her bosom, I know; 
That bosom to all other eyes cold as snow. 
Go, press her within your sanctified arms; 
Her undoing is yours, let yours be her charms." 





314 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



'"' The preacher lacks strength the temptation to stand, 
|: So eats of the fruit from the Satanic hand, 

fTill discovery comes, as he ought to have known, 
- And the Devil two other souls counts as his own. 

'7.. 6 ^ 

'' You oft see the fiend in the courts of the law, ^Ih 

|<^}Tempting judges and jurors; his long crooked claw Y^ 
Holding bright shining dollars to dazzle their eyes, 
That the guilty may go scot free with their prize. ..^ 

7 
The Devil's own lawyer gets very large fees, 
2§Owns mansions and grounds, and lives at his ease;^ 
' Fast horses, fast other things, make up his fill: 
ik He'll find with the Devil he'll settle his bill. 



V 



The Devil doth breathe in the ear of the clerk, 
Till he thinks himself wronged and ill-paid for his 
How easy ere long from the cash-box to take [work, 
"Only Once" just enough a fair balance to make. 

9 
"Only once," to enjoy a stylish turn-out; 
A box at the opera or theatre; a rout 
At the ball or reception; to be the observed 
Of observers! What matter! The Devil's subserved! ''i^ 




SATIRICAL POEMS. 



The Devil's always sure to skim the cream, 
To get the best of all we do or dream. 
Even the milkman thins his milk with water, 
To dress his wife or marry off his daughter. 




t 



The banker in the Devil finds a friend 

Who shows him how to shave and cheat; no end 

Of ways to live on other people's Cash, 

Till time is up, and things then go to smash. 

12 

Grave Senators hob-nob with him on the sly 
One eye on the people, the other fixed high 
On Uncle Sam's coffers, e'er greedy to cram 
I Their pockets with dollars, their souls to damn. 

13 
God help us! The Devil's a deep, cunning chap; 
He knows what a bait is the government pap! 
How for office their salary thrice over some spend; 
How they make up their losses, and more, in the end, 

14 
By the rule in Equation he taught them of how 
To make one equal three; and 'tis simple I vow! 
Poor Uncle Sam's Cash box the story can tell 
What a burglar the Devil is! All very well 



^^ 




SATIRICAL POExMS. 




, To build strong iron vaults, bolted over and through; . 
The Devil a trick has that's worth any two. 
His plan's too refined e'er to roughly descend 
To blowing up government safes. With a friend 



In the Senate and House, who'll conveniently bring 
k,.h little bill in that will make the doors swing, [smile! j7r 
.y^ Then the robbed gives the robber the Cash, with a, 
u That's perfection in thieving, — perfection in guile! 

17 
The Butcher, too, cheats on a hog or a cow, 
|Selling souls to get pennies; — to get rich anyhow! 
jBut what do they gain save a few cursed shares 
[In the Devil's own bank? Sowing chaff, reaping tares!' 

kC" " 

>s[ How frightful the interest the fools all must pay 
fj^When the Devil forecloses, and fixes the day 
\i, For settling accounts with all those who their rope 
Have run to the end, and have forfeited Hope! 

And then there's the vain, darling, sweet pretty miss, 
'^ho thinks a fine costume the height of all bliss, — 
Sells her soul for a dress, a cloak or a bonnet; 
The Devil, as salesman, puts his price upon it. 





SATIRICAL POEMS. 



20 



What matter just now! If but for a while 
She can ride in her coach, and live in full style, 
The envy of others, who look in amaze 
At her opulent shame! She lives on the praise 

21 

i Of others as bound as herself with the chain 
Which the Devil doth rivet on hand, soul and brain;; 
Who know in their secretest conscience within [sin! 
They're co-partners with her in the chain-gang of 







V^' 



The Devil is dainty! He frowns at the theft 
Of a poor loaf of bread by a father bereft, 
Through privation, of all sense of property right. 
Save the right of his children to food, air and light 



23 



""When you steal," Satan says, "take a pile; that's the 
To make me proud of my pupils. Don't stay [way 
To consider what Justice in anger may do. 
I've a key forces any gates open for you. 



24 




Tis a misapprehension to say that you stole 

In such cases; you but 'misapplied!' On the whole,,'Cv 

You will fix up the matter by going away, 

To let it blow over; but go anyway." 



3i8 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



25 

Oh, how the old fiend loves to pull down the scale 
Ere the honest weights' given the poor to regale. 
He cribs every day the hard cash of the poor, 
That a sneak may get rich who was once but a boor!|j 

26 \^ 

The writers, — poor devils,— unconsciously cheat. 
Critics say (heaven help us!) we filch and we beat 
Our fellows abroad, from whose works we all steal. 
Even dramatists plagiarize, for a meal. 



'^1 



I^ 



Alas there is cheating in every trade, 
And to mention them all would ne'er end my tirade. ; 
But the only good Devil I ever have known | 1 w* 

Was the Printer's; a straight, honest devil I own; jj^ 

28 
With an eye on the fraud and the folly of life, [strife 
And shewed them up well. Who lived clear of the 
And the wrong that he saw springing up on each 
hand, 1 

'Till it threatened to choke all the ofood in the land. 



— ^«a-s^^a-^^— 






•"W 



/Cn .C9 



--55^- 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



SHODDY KINGS. 



319 






Come, gather around, and I'll truthfully sing 
About a great grabber, renowned as a King. 
Who drives fastest horses in right royal state, 
In a phaeton all gilded, at 2.30 gait. 

2 
Born in gutter, or garret, or shanty old. 
By robbing the poor he has gathered his gold; 
And now he looks down upon common men. 
And lives like a Tsar in his gorgeous den. 



'He snubs the poor folk, drives them off from his 
His ambition is now 'mong the elite to soar; [door. 
So he buys his coarse way, and with presents and 

pelf. 
And grand parties, he forces his unwelcome self. 



& 



Who are the elite? Sometimes peddling traders 
In law, coin, or rags; and quite oft cheating raiders, 
Who by odds and by ends have scraped up their 

gold. 
And now set up and worship a calf made of gold. 



320 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 
5 



k"^' 



These elite from the dregs, have a lofty disdain 
For the class whence they sprang, whom they ne'er 

know again; 

Now they flatter the creme, who are often no better 
Than the monarch of Shoddy himself^ — a coarse 

getter 

Of money by hook or by crook; they the same. 
There is one of these swells, Jinks the tailor by 

name, 
Who grew rich on his grabbings from poor sewing 

girls, 
And married more gold — an old maid with screw 

curls. 



i*l - 






7 ( 

There's another, — old Grip, a sharp fox who shaves 

notes, 
And Growler the baker, who a million quotes, [dwell , 
Which he grabs from his tenants, in squalor who 
While he drives in state through the park with his"^^"^" 

belle. 




SATIRICAL POEMS. 



321 ai* 



(There's Goosey, with cloth, shears and needle and 
thread, 
c|' Grown a nabob, wears diamonds, and frizzles his 
head. 
r.-^-! Quack, with blisters, cure-alls, specifics and pills, 
(^^KLives in elegant style on the people he kills. 



'Old Mercer sells muslin and cloth by the yard, 
^ Grown wealthy, his glory is sung by a bard. 
Old Codfish sells mackeral in wholesaler's trade, 
Then starts up a Prince right at home, ready-made. 



]|^A11 this in itself might be passed well enough; 
^•- A man may grow great out of wool, oil, or snuff; 
But when he contemptuously treats fellow-men, 
fi^His peers, then he's game for the satirist's pen. 



But the truer elite, who are they? All who work 
And honestly labor to live; who ne'er shirk. 
^U Not Shoddy, who cheated in cloth or in meat, 
u And robbed our brave soldiers of what they shoul 
,W eat. 





4m 



f 



-i ^ff ^' - 




322 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



I 



12 i\^ 

Not Shoddy — now idlers^ who strutting with pride, 
Snub praiseworthy merit; the curs; let them slide; 
Shoddy, tended by lackeys, bedizend with gold, 
With heraldic arms, aping nobles of old; | 






13 



Pretending to copy some do-nothing Duke 
From over the water, some out-of-way nook, 
- Who spite of his birth is a mere titled swell, 
Whom Americans (?) gather to honor pell-mell. 



14 
[Shoddy! Some peddler of books in a store, 
[Draining talented author's of their mental ore; 
■Giving them back almost naught for their pains, 
yf But keeping themselves the best share of the gains. 



% 



15 



'^ 



Shoddy! The Wolves of the Press, foul-mouthed 
and sour, 
' '-^ Who their bile on some clever contributor pour, 'J ^pid 

Who has chanced to incur their Impertinent frown; 
J- These pismires of learning, combined write him 
down. 




SSe^--' 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



i6 



Z^Z 






The manhood that toils is the creme-de-la-creme, 
A That wins each high niche in the temple of fame; 
|That is temperate and honest, and honors his place, 

That is fearless in conduct, and frank in the face. 

icl^ Behold the great Sultans of press and of type. 
Who enlighten the world with experience ripe; 
Tsars of wood, iron, brick, too, and monarchs of 

stone. 
The nobles of labor, nerve, muscle and bone. 

i8 
The anvil, the hammer, the chisel and saw, 
The glory of labor; support of the law. 
^,The dukes of the mine and plow; earls of the loom; 
Let the world lift their hats to them! Make for 
them room! 






rr<^:d 




pi 

4\ 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



SLANDER. 



A cut-throat calls a statesman liar; 
He's dead, or his soul would rise in ire, 
To hurl the slander in his face; 
Who blackens the dead deserves disgrace. 



1^ 



I;' 

■V 



M 



\^ 



V 




.a 



/ 



I 

^:^ 



^: 



^g**?'^'"*^^ 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



3251 



PUBS. AND DEMS. 



^r . The Pubs wished to play a sweet little game, 
'7 To soothe the fierce Dems and render them tame, 
-^ " So they spun out a neat little Spider's Web, 
Which Dazy baited with a Southern Reb. 

2 

V Two Govs were given liim, as sweetest feed, — 
|In truth they stood him in very great need; 
jijLThen Dazy went shopping, with lots of speeches, 
^In eloquence, wisdom, as sweet as peaches. 



i 



1^. 



• ■ The Dems swore big with a threat of a war, 
J^i^But the Pubs declared that they'd stick like tar 

To the spoils and gold in Uncle Sam's till; 

With long arms to reach and big pockets to fill. 

4 

Hurrah for the Dems left out in the cold, 
^ Vf/The Pubs in plundering were always bold, 
h^C) With Credit Mobiliers, and Whisky Stills, 
^■- Each Pub built his house and settled his bills. 





KING AUTOCRAT. 



^1 



10 



% 



Oho! Boys! Sing. 
About a great King! 
The King of the rag-men, 
Great Chief of the bagmen! 

2 

The King is in a stew; 
He's down on tlie Jew; 
He'd rather have Shoddy, 
Or high bon-ton Coddy. 



:r< 



The King puts on airs, 
A lofty look wears, 
And sports his rich toga 
At his fine Shoddy-oga. 



4 



]^ 



The truth is, he's behind the age;- 
A Torquemada in a rage; 
A sort of social auio-do-fee, 
With soul as small as an Irish flea. 




%H 



3?? 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



327 






BLUSTER. 






Hop-de-doodle-doodle-doo! 
Bluster is in a fuming stew, — 
Wrathy, savage, fussy, fierce, 
Daisy's policy to pierce. 



^' 



U 



On mischief he is surely bent, 
Badgering the President, 
Mortified at his great loss. 
His frothy speech at him to toss. 

3 
Friend Bluster, now keep very low: 
Your character is but so-so. 
Whitewashed in the last Congress, 
Your name got in a pretty mess. 



Stop your railing at your betters; 
In politics go learn your letters; 
Respect exhibit for your chief. 
Nor treat him like a chicken thief. 




SATIRICAL POEMS. 



THE SOCIAL TORQUEMADA. 



' Lo! the haughty autocrat who leads the, ragmen's 
C trade ^-';-\ 

'^" Is making quite a hullaballoo — and shooting a ti- j^ 
rade ) '^., 

Against the Jews! He says he won't have them in ii 

his hotel. mf' 

^,With Shoddy and with Codfish folk alone he cuts ^ 
a swell. 



^ 



^ What! are we gone back to the Ages Dark once V' 



more? 



Do superstition, prejudice and cant above us soar? ;. r;^ 

\'' The King of Rags sets up himself thus cooly 'gainst A 

X- ' ' ' 

the laws? ?,-■ , 

What has /u'm thus so sanctified, afraid to soil his '^-'^^ 

paws? -^ / ' 

^ 1^ 



SATIRICAL POEMS. ' 2g 

/'?■■ JFor gold and mammon, then, he thus outrages hu- 
man rights; 
^;, Sinks back again to barbarism and for proscription ^-^ 
;^ fights;— I 

• Condemns an entire people for tlie failings of a 

few, — 
'Because that people bear the persecuted name of 
Jew! 



V 



"-^■■. 



% 



V 



^ 








C 




330 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



SOFT SODDER. 



Dazy, no doubt, is a very nice man, 

And I dare say does as well as he can; 

He travels around from the North to the South, 

With an open heart and an oily mouth. 



^: 




H 




SATIRICAL POEMS. 



TAXES. 



331 



As I was musing in the great, great city, 
Trying to compose a rhyming ditty 
A noise distracted me, and listening round 
I heard a strange, unusual, muttering sound. 

2 

*j? "Taxes! Assessments!" broke upon my ear; 
..And voices cried aloud. They were too dear, 
Soon they would eat them out of house and home, 
^:;j Like beggers drive them forth the world to roam. 



■ The wind now bore a sad and dirs:e-like moan; 
The air was filled with mingled shout and groan. 
And as I stood intent toxatch the sound, 
I heard the same cry "Taxes" ring around. 



What is the matter with the peopled city? 
'^^^jr^Fast sinking under Taxes!" more the pity! 
Is there no Man to stop this awful waste? — 
To rectify this mass of wealth displaced? 





332 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



i.- 



The thieving game goes on through Tax and fine, 
t To keep a venal crew in sport and wine. 
■^hNo stoppage to the leak, alas! not one, 
Save bankruptcy, — the city's fame undone! 



Corruption soon will lay the city low, 
To other towns her commerce great will go; 
k' (•JThe money drawn from all the mortgaged piles, 
Nor stayed to help the cunning plunderer's wiles. 



' I saw a man in ragged, wretched plight, 
Emaciated, — eyes both weak and bright. 
^; He stopped and begged for alms from door to door, 
fe^^'Alas, sir, only Taxes made me poor!" 

I saw a belle, dressed once in raiment fine. 
Now robed in calico, walk down the line. 
^J I asked her why no more she cut a dash; 
She answered: "Taxes ate up all the Cash!" 

/^'■A dandy, once in broadcloth, scented o'er, 
Now dressed in corduroy, with feet all sore. 
Unto my query, answered, "Taxes, sir;" 
"No dinners now, no fashionable stir!" 





/ / ^> 



SATIRICAL rOEMS. 



333 



Says creditor to debtor: "Pay that debt." 
"I can't; the Taxes have me all upset." 
Says Rose to Clara, "Buy yourself a hat; 
Your old one is so shabby!" "What of that? 

II 
Pa says that all he earns the city Eats, 
^iTo feed a lot of idle lazy beats! 
The Taxes are the devil-fish, the dragon tall, 
The shark, the shadpoke that devours us all." 



A toper made wry faces o'er weak tea, 
"The Devil take the Taxes!" loud said he. 
Another wept the loss of "Widow Cliquot." 
And vowed the tax-collector he could lick, oh! 

13 
A fellow smoked a rope for a segar. 
^Another sand for snuff was pushed so far 
To take, and grocer's paper in his pipe. 
'No 'bacco, friends; the Taxes are too ripe 

14 
Another day, as I walked to the town, 
A clergyman was pawning his old gown; 
"Taxes, my friend, have brought one to this pass. 
The maelstrom that sucks every purse, alas!" 




Y 



i 




^-/-V^ 



334 



SATIRICAL rOEMS. 




15 
;' Taxes are King: — a savage ravenous beast, 
That bites and gnaws to l^t officials feast. 
With myriad arms and sharpened vulture claws 
To skin us like a lot of plucked jackdaws. 

Again, surprised, I saw the nabobs there 
Rich men from other cities round did stare, [town? 
How much? How much? Who'll bid for the great 
Two hundred millions to pay taxes, — down!" 

17 ' 
The money bags came from all o'er the land. 
And stripped the city like a leafless wand. 
Twas sold at highest figures, as Retreat 
*f^ For bankrupt millionaires turned in the street. 

One day I saw men pulling down the stores; 
"What's matter. Friend?" "They're sold to pay 

old scores, 
Past Taxes ; now the wood, and brick, and loam, 
To other cities go, to build a home. 

19 
Great Taxes! Lo, the people, skin and bone, 
Poking around for scraps, hungry and lone! 
Great Country! Patriots have given their all 
To meet the politicians' pay-roll call. 



j^- 



I 



^ 



SATIRICAL POEMS. 



335,\ii 



Free! To be eaten out of house and home! 
- ^ Left like a mangy dog to starve and roam! 

fFree! To be plucked by spendthrift cormorants] 
Free! To supply a reckless Party's wants! 






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HUMOROUS POEMS. 



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.\/ 




THE GOSSIP. 



Oh, what do you think? or do you know? — 
Johnny Flippers has lost his toe; 
And Farmer Grab's sold out old Giles, 
And Sally Smithers is down with biles. 



You know that old maid round the corner, 
That flirted so at Dominie Warner? 
Well, 'pon my word if that old Spinster 
Is'nt going to wed the mmister! 

3 

Scratchim's been fighting with his wife 
^ She made him run for his very life. 

\i) The Doctor's sweet on Jennie Spinner, 

And goes twice every week to dinner. 



And what d'ye think? The other night 
I saw old Fuddle come home tight; 
He broke the hinges off his shutter, 
And' fell right headlong in the gutter. 






HUMOROUS POEMS. 

5 
You'll not believe me, but its true 
As I'm here telling it to you, 
That Mrs, Bently takes Scotch snuff, 
So much vou'd think she'd ne'er enough. 



You know that silly Ida Gray, 
That lives just down the street away? 
Well, she's just crazy for a beau, 
The silly goose just told me so. 

7 
She's at her window early and late, 
That is, when she's not at the gate. 
You know old mother Tatter's Cats — 
The four she keeps like human brats. 

8 
She must invest a pile in milk. 
To make their fur shine so like silk. 
Did you see Suzie Slade's new hat 
That she brought down from Barnegat 




The stuck-up thing raised such a stew 
With it at church, in a front pew! 
Oh! Polly Barlow's caught a. tartar 
In that old General Frizzle Carter. 







V. 



^'---^rj'. 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 34 

10 
You know that's him that trots her out, 
When he's not laid up with the gout. 
But would you believe, with all her airs 
That snippy thing that lives up stairs, — 

II 
That proud Ophelia, — does'nt take 
With gentlemen? They all forsake 
Her when they hear her saucy tongue. 
Not one of them stays by her long. 

12 
I've just found out that Molly Booth 
Will wed Jim Roach; its solemn truth; 
I saw the ring right on her hand, 
When she was down at Rigby's stand. 

13 
There's something wrong with the Doctor's eye; J 
He wears a glass. But what makes him dry 
So much of late? His nose begins V 

To tell how oft he visits Flynn's. 

14 
Old scrub was caught with scanty measure, 
Young Rushit wastes his time in pleasure. 
Old Deacon Hold-on prayed for him ^ y" 

So long, they stopped him with a hymn. 






'^'■ 



«^^^^ 



342 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 



^ 



l^ 



He's too long-winded altogether, 
He beats them all, — even Deacon Sprether 
Old Sour-Krout Ned is gone with drink; — 
The last to do it, one would think. 




He's breaking up, no wonder, too, 
With all he takes, I think; don't you? 
I'll bet he's drunk more than a barrel, 
Till now he's not left brains to quarrel. 



Anne Daiseley's caught a heavy cold; 
No wonder! Out nights with that bold 
Young rascal Phil! — a reckless lad 
No credit he to her. Too bad! — 

18 

Oh, did you hear that miss Fitz Noodle 
Has just been buying another poodle? 
I declare, how some folks pass their lives 
A puzzle is to vis honest wives. 

19 
Did you ever see a greater glutton 
Than that old porpoise, Mr. Sutton? 
His paunch sticks out just like a puncheon 
He needs no tablt, t'eat Ais lunch on! 



6 



.T^^ 




HUMOROUS POEMS. 



3i3 



That daughter of his makes such a sputter 
With all the beaux who round her flutter; 
A perfect flirt; no wonder too: 
Her father cares not what she'll do. 



^ 



-^<^f 






Z 






- V 



?^f 



But what d'you think? Such jolly news, 
For girls and beaux: Some peddling Jews 
Have just arrived. One of them brings 
All sorts of nick-nacks — fancy things. 

22 

The butcher bought a new dress; — so nice!- 
For his wife. Just think how many a slice 
He'll cheat for that! The grocer Schuz 
Will do the same; he always does. 

23 
But did you hear the fuss and clatter 
The lawyers made with old Judge Slatter: 
They say he's a fool, and knows no law. 
But sits in court like an old Jackdaw. 

24 
Jle says they're a pettifogging crew 
With foggy brains, and petty too. 
They may get fat fees for a word or so, 
But cant run /n's court; oh, dear, no! 







'=7 



HUiMOROUS POEMS. 



25 



Good-bj-e. I haven't time to say any more. 
I've bitten my tongue, and it's dreadful sore. 






'\^^% 




^% 




^^ 




HUMOROUS POEMS. 



JOHN AND NANCY. 



In an old Cabin, on the prairie wide, 
Sat John and Nancy, side by side; 
Their theme the coming marriage day, — 
How to manage, and how to pay. 

2 

John puffed his pipe with all his might 
And raised a cloud that veiled the light 
From one tall candle in a board — 
(Nancy was saving; bound to hoard.) 




Says John, "I'll pay, the marriage fee 
With a fat young pig, if you'll agree." 
Says Nancy, "You're in haste, I think, 
Courting a month, — and now you'd link! 

4 
"Forgetting that it's now the style 
To bill and coo for quite a while!" 
Says John, "I will not have it so; 
Say whether you will wed or no?" 





HUMOROUS POEMS. 

5 
Afraid to lose her beau outright 
She hastened now her troth to plight; 
He took her liand and pressed it so, 
She screamed and bade liim let her go. 

6 
He laidjhis pipe; looked in her eyes; 
While she looked into his likewise; 
Said he, "I've table, stool and chair, 
And cradle, too, the babe to bear." 



t. 




She blushed, but said: "I have a bed, 
With comforts ready, when I'm wed." 
"I'll buy" said John, "some blankets more* 
We'll add with savings to our store. 

8 
I've chickens and a fine fat pig; 
We'll use my ox-cart for a gig." 
Said Nancy, "I've a cow and geese, 
And two young sheep, with lovely fleece." 

9 
Said John, "You've pots and pans enough. 

And I've some cash, hard times to bluff. 

So fix the day!" He smacked her lip^ 

With happy shout he cracked his whip. 






V, 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 347 

10 
Outside, he smacked her lips once more, 
Jumped in his cart, rode from the door. 
She watched him long till out of sight. 
Then, savingly, put out the light. 



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HUMOROUS POEMS. 






THE CHEAP HORSE. 



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Did you e'er buy a cheap, cheap horse? 
Ay, to your loss you did, of course! 
He had but one eye in his liead, 
And soon he walked as if half-dead! 

2 

The jockey vowed him Sound and Kind, 
"Swift, strong, enduring, good in wind! 
A bargain! Sold almost for naught! 
A fact! — The best you ever bought." 

3 
I buy him; soon he's broken up; 
Lame, wheezy; teeth too poor to sup. 
One day I take him for a drive: — 
*■'■ Blind-staggers r Sure as I'm alive! 

4 

Another day, when in a hurry, 

He brought me late, all in a flurry. 

I looked and lo! he had ^^ Blood- Spavins" 

The hostler said, "He's not worth having." 



4- 






vV/ 



iV 



f 



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HUMOROUS POEMS. 



349 



One day, I raced with neighbor Weir, 
"Loser to pay for pipes and beer." 
By Jove! I found he had "■ Spring-Halt^ 
Jeered at, I paid the smoke and malt! 



& 
S 



Again, his head began to swell: 
"Foil Eviir Ah, I'm sold right well!" 
He raised his hoof, and kicked me over: — 
Six weeks; fine doctor's bill to cover! 

7 
Trotting one day at ease along. 
Light-hearted, whistling jovial song. 
My horse began to grunt and moan; 
Lifting his hoof, I found "■Ring-BoneT 



I thought him fearless, bold, but kind; 
I drove, he started like the wind, 
But wheeled and threw me in the mud; 
Then 'way he went; like flying scud. 



I 



They'd claimed him free with a load, 
But didn't he balk right in the road? 
All passed me, laughing at my plight — 
He stood all day, and half the night. 





,« 






HUMOROUS POEMS. 



I asked a sport to swap for me. 

He winked his eye, and said, "I'll see. 

If you will sell to boil him down, 

His bones may bring you half a crown." 

II 
I looked one day within his stall: 
'Twas eaten up! Left but the wall. 
^'■Crib-Bitingr sighed I, 'reft of force; 
"Wise man, — to buy so cheap a horse!" 

12 

He wheezed and stopt each little while: 
'■'^HeavesT murmured I, "there goes my pile!" 
The old horse fell; no sign of pluck; 
He died in harness; curse my luck! 






t 



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HUMOROUS POEMS. 



35^ 



THE WONDERFUL MAN. 



^^^^^'Solomon Jumps was a wonderful man; 

i^When he walked, he strode full a hundred span; 
/^N'W^en he ran, he over the housetops flew, 
vrLike a bankrupt chased by a creditor Jew. 

''He wanted an eye-glass, and plucked the moon; 
It suited his nose, — there was plenty of room. 
? One day he was sadly in need of a smoke, 
And he lit his pipe with a star in joke. 



^ 



^ 



In Wall street he did a wonderful freak: 
He pulled their beards, their noses did tweak; 
He took both the bulls and the bears by the horns; 
^ He battered their shins and trod on their corns. 



'i? 



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He was strong — even lions he'd seize by the tail, 
\, And swing them around the same as a flail. 
He could a world of business do, — 



], Could patch up a planet, or cobble a shoe. 



^ 



352 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 



5 



He was sweet on the ladies; when within reach 
He gobbled them down like a succulent peach. 
And whenever he danced, he fairly flew, 
Like a bird on the wing the air through. 



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His voice too was so excessively loud. 
That whoever heard it instinctively cowed; 
'Twas just like a terrible clap of thunder^ 
Or roar of the storm tearing things asunder. 

7 
And yet he was just as gay as a lark, 
Though his eyes were keen as the keenest shark; 
He could see right through the thickest millstone 
He was lithe, too, as the lithest whalebone. 

8 

Once he was jolly and went on a spree 
Swallowed a tavern and distillery. 
His sight was so keen, bored a hole in the earth, 
Gushed water, and to second deluge gave birth. 

9 
A wonderful man! From star to star did hop. 

And spun inside out on his head like a top. 

Had news from Kamskatka, theArcticand Ind; — 

A cycle, geog., andballoonfull of wind! 




f4^. 



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HUMOROUS POEMS. 



353 



y f,\ He leaped to the moon, bumped his head against 
*^*'! the stars; 

Made Jupiter scowl, and quarreled with Mars; f 

•->^* Raised the Devil one day, set sinners to pray, 

Cats mew, and dogs bark, and asses to bray! 



^.. 



H 



Exceedingly pious, he ate up the church, 
And left the parishioners all in a lurch; 
With a parson or two to wash it well down, 
He looked like a beefsteak, — done thoroughly 
brown. 



His head was enwreathed with laurels immortal, 
Just ready to go through Heaven's bright portal; 
An angel each side of him, furnished with wings, 
To boost him with trumpets, hosannas and things 




13 



A generous man! He gave 'way the city! 
His title please search 'mong the lawyers so witty. 
ff)/f If bad, you can trust them to whitewash him well; 
'Tis quite in their line a good story to tell. 



^P:l^-ii^V 




354. 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 



14 
O; Solomon points to his namesake of old. 
Could tell that would leave him right out in the cold. 
A ton fully must he have swollowed of ice, 
So cold was his cheek, and so freezingly nice. 

15 
He declared himself monarch of all the big Rings; 
Beat Babcock and Tweed, and the rest of the Kings. 
He declared Uncle Sam but a fuddled old fool, 
Who let people steal while obeying his rule, 

16 
He died, and the earth gave a terrible cry, 
The moon sailed a-blubbering along the deep sky. 
While Venus stood sobbing the long night away; 
iNo more would she see him, — alack! — well-a-day! 






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HUMOROUS POEMS. 



THE AUCTIONEER. 



355 



1 



i'l^'^ 






Going, going, going, gone, sir! 
That book your very soul will stir; 
Full of battles, blood and thunder, 
And horrors 'nough to split asunder. 



't*^ 



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And here's another, full of wit; 
Humor, Satire, all in it 
To make you snicker, laugh or smile. 
Bid for it, 'tis worth your while, 

3 
Worth ten dollars. Cheap enough! 
You spend more on segars and snuff. 
My friends, what will you bid for this? 
Three, — four, — five! That's not amiss. 

4 
You're getting it for next to nothing: 
Full of wisdom, — proverbs frothing! 
A regular Solomon!- — I don't misstate. 
It's going at a losing rate. 



6 



4i: 



Six, do I hear somebody say? 

Don't crowd so. Boy, stand out the way! 

Aha, friend Jinks! I saw you nod. 

No? It is yours, then, Mr. Todd. 

6 
Too late, friend Jinks! Todd is ahead. 
A bully boy, though his hair is red. 
Now, here's a work to make you splutter, 
Full of eloquence, rhetoric, flutter. 



Cicero, Demos., Webster, Clay; 
Sermons, speeches, poetry! Say, 
Who bids? We offer at half-price: 
Worth twice as much; it looks so nice, 

s 
'Twill so exalt each noble thought, 
You'll die for country, — or be bought. 
Like volunteers, so much a head! 
Come, bid friends. What was that you said? 

9 
Three dollars only? make it four, 
Or five. A gem it is of lore. 
O, Smith, is that you near the door? 
Come up, and bid a dollar more! 




^^♦^^^ 



S^* ?5g^W>- 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 




Six do I hear? At last a hit! 

Old Smash-up takes it; he has wit 

To understand fine declamation. 

He'll read it, then he'll charm the natioa 

II 
Here's Byron! Who will bid him in? 
Sad dog, but brilliant, — full of sin! 
Three? What! Poor devil, in his grave 
Twill not pay mass his soul to save! 



What say you, now, to our friend Dickens? 
Five offered? He is full of pickin's 
Quaint sketches, people, quainter lingo. 
The best of reading, sure, by Jingo! 




13 
Stories well told of corners dark. 
Of cant exposed and fraud laid stark; 
Sneaks, parasites, dragged in the light, 
And heroes shown in colors bright; 

Of dirt and want exposed to view. 

To show mankind how mean the crew 

Of rascals that infest the slums 

Of London. Thieves and rogues and bums, 




I 

1 



^ 



1 



Stool pigeons, sharpers, — all the hive 
Who on men's folly daily thrive! 
Six! Seven! Eight! Why, little man, 
'Twill lift yoar stature quite a span, 

i6 
The stature of your mind, I mean. — 
The finest book, this, ever seen! 
Of human nature treasures rare; 
The best and worst, you'll find 'em there! 

17 
The fellow, under mask of good. 
That robs the poor folk of their food, 
Is there; — you'll find him. But how's this? 
I've here a fine work — not amiss 

18 
For him who likes the quaintest humor: — 
'Tis Butler's Hudibras. Odd wit, says rumor! 
The author's name is old Sam Butler, — 
A curious cuss, — a mental sutler; 

19 
The very man to spice the time 

With easy flowing, whimsy rhyme; 

A man of learning, as you'll see, 

Who's earned some notoriety. 






.4( 



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^ 



^^ 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 



20 



359 



'0^ 



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^ 



Two dollars bid! You're a dull fellow! 
You're drj', I guess; or perhaps too mellow. 
You're in no reading mood to-night, 
Look at those pictures, in the light, 

21 
War, science, art, — all portraits, all: — 
Nap, Wellington and Frederick tall; 
They look like heroes, — boldly stare. 
What conquering looks their faces wear! 

22 
Napoleon looks as if he knew 
Another Wagram in a stew. 
Just watch his grand and lofty mind, 
That swayed the world and awed mankind! 

23 
Two dollars offered ! Nap, your grave 
Is desecrated by a slave, 
Who would insult you with a bid 
Enough to start your coffiin-lid. 

24 
Business is dull! We're only losers; 
Well, sellers can't be always choosers! 
Look here, my friends, at Martin's deluge; 
A grand engravingi — Ark of refuge 









/••D 



vT 



n^- 




Floating up there in the corner; 
Reminds me when I sang Jack Horner, 
Gone! Here's a chromo — Titian's Venus 
Jones, eye it sharply. I see you mean us 



26 



To take your bid. No, Sir! Not three! 
It cost twenty. — That can't be. 
I thought you gallant to the sex 
But slight a goddess! Fie, you vex! 



27 



Five? Better! one more now I'm wishing. 
A half? all right! The other's fishing. 
Say six, my friends, and make it even. 
Good! Wish you luck, and safe to heaven! 



23 




Good night! To each one, pleasant dreams; 
Straight home; avoid the rum-shop gleams. 
Fill purses; come some other night; 
Bring friends, and bid with all your might. 



— ^^-e€^§3>9-S^T— 



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HUMOROUS POEMS. 



ALL ARE DOCTORS. 





One doctor treats with pills, 
And oft the patient kills, 
The creditor doctors bills 
That the debtor seldom fills. 

2 

The cobbler doctors shoes, 
Your prized health not to lose; 
One doctor treats the head 
With wigs robbed from the dead 

3 
Tobacconists doctor snuff. 
And a little is enough; 
Distillers doctor gin 
With poison from the bin. 

4 
One doctor treats your hat. 
Tall, pointed, round, or flat. 
Another doctors clothes, 
Another still your toes. 






HUMOROUS POEMS. 



The minister doctors souls, 
To keep them from the ghouls. 
The lawyer doctors pockets, — 
Keeps cases on the dockets. 



2. 



Politicians doctor rights, 
Make bills and live on fights; 
While traders doctor lies 
Our purses to surprise. 



Old Cant's a doctoring sneak 
Who carries a face so meek; 
Miss Slander doses a lie, 
She claims true as the sky. 




The lover doctors w^ith sighs, 
And sings to his mistress' eyes; 
The orator doctors words 
With "firstlies," seconds, and thirds. 

9 
The lawyer doctors with fog, 

Which he puffs just like a frog; 

The dandy doctors frills. 

While others pay his bills. 




w 



^, 



^' 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 

lO 

Ladies doctor with eyes, 
And gentlemen oft surprise; 
Flirts doctor with a fan, 
Trying to catch a man. 




The butcher doctors meat, — 
So stale! — not fit to eat! — 
The grocer doctors weight, 
Good soul, to save us freight. 

12 

The tailor doctors work, — 
So slack 'twont stand a jerk; 
All doctors of degree, — 
Myself shall doctor me. 

The poet doctors rhyme, 
'Tis doggerel half the time; 
The painter doctors daubs, 
The canvass sole absorbs. 

The Devil doctors sinners; 
He cooks them for his dinners, 
The Printer's devil, ink 
Can doctor in a wink, 





<a g O f^S^' -~>> 



364 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 



15 



Authors doctor brains; 
Find poor-house for their pains; 
Booksellers doctor gains, — 
Leave naught for thinker's pains. 



16 



I've doctored this enough, — 
Had better stop the stuff. 
You'll think me over-witty, 
Or surely burn my ditty. 











I 



f 



'(I- 






**<^^^oj- /HfV^^ 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 



BUY AN OLD FARM. 



O, 'tis glorious to own a farm. 

Weeds are plenty and briars stark; 
Hay and grain filling the barn, 

Up in the morning, gay as a lark. 



I fancied I had a bargain, 

As the old place was sold so cheap; 
"Now," said I, "for fine hay and grain; 

Now for fine horses, cattle and sheep. 

3 
"Now," thought I, "we'll live in clover; 

Lots of fowls and plenty of game!" 
I roamed the fields, over and over, 

Figuring profits on the same. 

4 
I found the fences all were broken, 

All the ditches 'most fill.ed up. 
On all sides the self same token: 

Nice bill of costs for me to sup! 





HUMOROUS POEMS. 



t¥ 



The fences were covered with briars; 

The bridges rotten with decay; 
The lanes with deepened ruts were mires* 

Sticks and stones lay in the way. 

6 
Round the nouse old kettles and pans; 

A pile of bones lay on one side, 
Old boot-legs, oyster shells and clams, 

Would trip you as along j'ou'd stride. 



The best wood had been cut and sold, 

The grass was eaten to the ground, <^ 

The house proved very shaky, old, — 
The wind moaned through the crannies round, 







Rats held high carnival in the cellar, 
Between the walls careered and played 

All night long, with squeal and patter^ 
They wakened all the house — afraid. 

9 
The rains ran down along the walls. 

The cellar soon was overrun, 
The cesspools were choked up like balls. 

The cost of fixine was no fun. 





^•^' 

l*i/ 



\ 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 



Shingles flew from off the barn, 

The sidings slid day after day, 
The stable-floor soon gave alarm, 

My old horse broke through where he lay. 

II 
The first year I raised taxes, weeds. 

Repairs full plenty everywhere; 
I'm sure I spent the cost of my deeds, 

Continually patching here and there. 

12 

The pip bore off most of my chicks, 
One of my horses fell and died. 

An ugly old cow gave me some kicks; — 
I to my bed for a month was tied. 

13 
I went to the woods to hunt for game. 

And took an old gun found on the place' 
I fired, — it bursted with the aim, 

And made my splintered hand a case. 

14 
One day I examined the low ground. 

As the ditches proper looked quite dry; 
I plunged in with a quickened bound; 

A'las! I sank in, with aery. 










^^ 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 



15 



Up to my eyes with mud all over; 

I quickly scrambled to get out; 
But only sank in deeper, deeper; 

I screamed for help; I raised a shout! 



16 




In the fields the old stumps stuck out; 

My ploughs against them were all broke, 
The harness gave way round about; 

Too late, alas! I to reason woke! 



17 
I hired a sturdy man named Billy, 

Who bragged he could do every thing; 
I found him obstinate, lazy, silly. 

Quick only at the dinner ring. 

18 
Right in harvest he struck for wages 

Swore he wanted five dollars more; 
It threw me into the worst of rages; 

I bade him go as worse tban a bore. 

Then I tried a bran-new greenhorn, 
And tried to train him in my fashion; 

That very day all tattered and torn, 
In briars he was cutting and slashing. 







r 






HUMOROUS POEMS. 

20 

He made a big hole in my wine room, 
And drank my best and hardest cider. 

He broke a panel with a broom, 

Went swinging round like a circus-rider, 

21 

One day I harnessed the old horse, 

He whacked my poor eye with his tail; 

I gave him a kick without remorse, 

And offered my farm, half-price for sale. 



V.' 



i) 






f 



:?■ 



I sauntered into the wood one day. 

Under the trees to take a nap; 
The bugs and gnats on me did prey. 

They gorged themselves on my poor sap. 



23 
One day I stumbled on a hive; 

My starsi How they buzzed cheerily! 
They clouded on me, — all alive! 

I danced with pain right wearily. 

24 

A neighbor a hornet's nest espied, 

Says he, "Now here's a chance for fun!* 

He stood, while I the missiles shied. 
The nest broke, at me they did run. 






•^^ 



370 



HUMOROUS POExMS. 



25 



I was too slow to get away; 

My neighbor watched the sport with glee, 
I was nearly stung to death that day: — 

The sport was dear enough for me! 



26 




I bought some guano for my corn, 
And thought I'd give each hill a dose, 

Not a spear came up! And I, forlorn, 
Had to plant again. I grew morose. 



27 



I had to cut twenty tons of hay; 

I hired a machine to mow it all; 
The weather proved as fickle as May, 

It rained a week, and spoiled it all. 



28 



The oats were ready to take in, 
The weather dubious; in a flurry 

I rushed. My teamster broke a linch-pin. 
The oats and rain fell in a hurry. 



29 



One morning I was pitching hay, 
I struck an adder coiled in heap, 

He darted, I was- nearest prey, — 
A quart of whisky made me creep. 








**i^S^oj^ 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 



30 




371 



My life was saved, though I came near dying; 

The sight of a snake now makes me chill; 
With a stick I always set them flying, 

I'd rather the Devil than adder's bill. 



31 



I hurried one day through the brushwood, 
And bent a tough young sapling back; 

It bounded, just as a steel spring would. 
Bunging my eye with a stinging crack. 



Ti 



32 



Being a high liver, I grew quite fat. 
Suffering much with a gouty toe; 

In the stall the old horse laid me flat. 

He stepped on my foot; 'twas enough, I know 



J^-^ 




33 
My man being away, I drove the cows home; 

The old bull looked at me askance, 
Then suddenly for me did come. 

And poked my side with his horny lance. 

34 
I'd save my man the trouble of milking; 

I squeezed the tits till the pails were full; 
A horse-fly set my cow a-kicking, 
- Over went pail and myself at a pull. 



<^ 



r 




372 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 



35 
One night I visited neighbor Bing, 

And thought to have a pleasant time, 
His dog came at me with a spring, 

And tore and soiled my coat with grime. 

36 
I had a young orchard in full bloom; 

A restive cow broke into the field; 
The whole herd followed , and very soon [peeled. T^\ 

They trampled it down, and the bark they ^ 

37 
I had a noble flock of sheep, 

I prided on their splendid condition, 
Strange dogs into the pen did leap, 

And killed them without intermission. 

38 
My wheat seemed finest in the country. 

Aha! thought I, I'll have sweet flour; 
The weavels thanked me for my bounty, 

Ate up my wheat, and turned me sour. 

39 
One year there was a dreadful drought, 

The wells around were all dried up; 
I went four miles to wet my mouth, 

And water cattle, — not a sup! 




HUMOROUS POEMS. 



373,,. 



40 



O, I made money in a lump! 

Did I not grow exceedingly rich? 
O, ne'er was I in such a dump, 

My money gone to fence and ditch! 





— ^sa-THOE: nsNu.-B^i— i 





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